"Devil Wears Prada"-esque novel 'Workhorse' is a tale of unlikable ambition
Caroline Palmer's debut novel, Workhorse, has been touted as the next big thing in young adult fiction. The book follows Clodagh, or Clo, a disillusioned and often despicable protagonist who will stop at nothing to climb the corporate ladder in the cutthroat world of women's magazines.
Palmer's wit is sharp and razor-sharp, particularly when it comes to her observations on the fashion industry. Her dark obsession with beautiful colleagues and her own internalized misogyny make for a compelling read. The novel also boasts memorable characters like Harry, a charismatic counterpart to Clo's desperation and despair.
However, as much as one wants to root for Clo despite her vile behavior, the prolonged exposure to her inner world becomes tiresome. At over 500 pages, Workhorse feels like an endurance test rather than a story-driven novel. If anything, editing out some of Palmer's brilliant writing would have allowed it to shine even brighter.
Palmer expertly captures the sense of disillusionment that can come with chasing an unattainable dream. The book is not just about a shallow world of magazine publishing but also about the emotional burden carried by those on the outside looking in, forever torn between ambition and the fear of failure.
While some may be hesitant to wade into another nostalgic portrayal of 90s magazines, Workhorse has enough substance to elevate it beyond its central theme. If you're willing to invest time with Clo's twisted world, Palmer's writing will keep you engaged – but do so with a critical eye and a willingness to set the book aside when needed.
With its dark humor and razor-sharp observations, Workhorse is sure to appeal to fans of The Devil Wears Prada. But be prepared for a long journey into the psyche of an unlikable protagonist – and a healthy dose of self-awareness about your own tolerance for her antics.
Caroline Palmer's debut novel, Workhorse, has been touted as the next big thing in young adult fiction. The book follows Clodagh, or Clo, a disillusioned and often despicable protagonist who will stop at nothing to climb the corporate ladder in the cutthroat world of women's magazines.
Palmer's wit is sharp and razor-sharp, particularly when it comes to her observations on the fashion industry. Her dark obsession with beautiful colleagues and her own internalized misogyny make for a compelling read. The novel also boasts memorable characters like Harry, a charismatic counterpart to Clo's desperation and despair.
However, as much as one wants to root for Clo despite her vile behavior, the prolonged exposure to her inner world becomes tiresome. At over 500 pages, Workhorse feels like an endurance test rather than a story-driven novel. If anything, editing out some of Palmer's brilliant writing would have allowed it to shine even brighter.
Palmer expertly captures the sense of disillusionment that can come with chasing an unattainable dream. The book is not just about a shallow world of magazine publishing but also about the emotional burden carried by those on the outside looking in, forever torn between ambition and the fear of failure.
While some may be hesitant to wade into another nostalgic portrayal of 90s magazines, Workhorse has enough substance to elevate it beyond its central theme. If you're willing to invest time with Clo's twisted world, Palmer's writing will keep you engaged – but do so with a critical eye and a willingness to set the book aside when needed.
With its dark humor and razor-sharp observations, Workhorse is sure to appeal to fans of The Devil Wears Prada. But be prepared for a long journey into the psyche of an unlikable protagonist – and a healthy dose of self-awareness about your own tolerance for her antics.
... either way, it's hard to feel too bad for her when she's basically asking to be stepped on in the corporate world 
... that being said, palmer's writing is straight fire 
and i love how she peels back the layers to reveal clo's inner struggles. just wish we didn't have to trudge through all those pages to get there 
... still, if you're a fan of dark humor and can handle a strong female lead (or anti-hero), then workhorse is def worth checking out 
. I mean, she's flawed, we get it 
. But Palmer's writing is fire 
. And yeah, Clo can be a bit much sometimes 
, but I kinda love her for it? She's like the dark mirror to our own ambitions, you know? 
. If you're gonna read Workhorse, don't go in expecting a hero 
. But if you're ready for something real – with all its messiness and complexity – then this book is def worth the investment 
. Just don't say I didn't warn you 
!
but at the same time, it gets to a point where you're just like "girl bye" 
Palmer's writing is straight fire tho, love how she exposes the dark side of the fashion industry 
. But 500 pages? that's some next level commitment 
Clo's obsession with getting to the top is super relatable if you've ever felt like you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of school stress 
But honestly, after a while it gets really exhausting trying to keep up with her toxic behavior 
It's like when you're stressing about exams and also worried about what others will think... yeah, that feels 
. Still, if you're into dark comedy and aren't afraid to get invested in a complicated protagonist, then I'd say give it a shot 
.
. her dark side is super relatable tbh. palmer's writing tho is like butter, so smooth and sharp 
. it makes me wanna take notes on all the juicy details of the fashion industry. tho, can we pls just skip some of the repetitive parts? 
.
. Bring it on! 
. Clodagh's character is like the anti- heroine - you love to hate her, but sometimes you just wanna hug her and tell her everything will be okay 
. The fashion industry commentary is on point tho! 
. If you're into that sorta thing, Palmer's writing will hook you from the start. Just be prepared to have your emotions run wild 
!
! I'm all about ambition & chasing those dreams, but at what cost? It's so easy to get caught up in the hype & lose sight of our true selves. We need to remember that our worth isn't defined by our titles or positions – it's who we are as people 
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. And can we talk about how relatable Clo's struggles are? I mean, who hasn't felt like they're stuck between chasing their dreams and being scared of failing at some point? But yeah, gotta give it to the author for pulling off that dark humor vibe – makes me wanna binge-read this thing... or maybe just set it aside and come back when I've had a few more cups of coffee 
️.