Fixing Flamingos: And Other Solutions to the World's Least Pressing Problems (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
"As an intern in Heaven, Abby has a lot on her plate. Getting things done Up There takes a can-do attitude and a certain finesse to work with the other teams, plus “the Boss” likes to check in on occasion (or when there has been a BIG mix-up!). Overall, she really loves her new job! Her job? Handling the suggestions from the newest arrivals via a feedback form. Evolution seems to take a little too long for many people on earth, so maybe it’s time to speed it up a little bit! What if squirrels were given jobs picking up litter? Or could cats' purring create electricity? Why not enlarged earlobes to use for storing things? Why aren’t sheep knitting using the wool that they’re wearing? For every imaginative (or weird) suggestion, Abby follows up- We need to get HR involved for the squirrels, the sheep would need hands to knit with…
Accompanying the hilarious text of Lucienne Brown are the drawings of Brian Rea (artist of the NYT’s Modern Love column). Wonder no longer what a human-sized honey bee would look like or how to make turtle shells more interesting, can’t picture what a cat-hand sponge would look like? You will soon see. Reader Beware-you may burst out loud laughing and have to explain why humans should have collapsible skeletons to fit under doors!"--Reviewed by Jennifer
We all agree evolution is a good thing, but why does it have to take so bloody long? A few million years to go from fins to feet just isn’t quick enough in this age of immediate software updates, drone deliveries, and canned whipped cream. People want change, and they want it NOW.
Enter Abby, an intern assigned to Heaven's newly formed Updates Team. While The Boss takes care of the big stuff, Abby’s tasked with reviewing hundreds of feedback forms from the recently deceased. Her job: to assess which suggestions should be put into production. Should humans have collapsible skeletons? How many ants does it take to carry a middle-aged woman to Costco? Are we ready to try self-generated meat? When she’s not evaluating the wild but well-intentioned suggestions of disgruntled former denizens of Earth, Abby is dodging dad jokes from The Boss, learning about the past lives of her cubicle mates, and wondering if she made a good impression on Jonty from Emotional Engineering. And although her eager attitude and proactive working style is appreciated, she may have overstepped the mark with flamingos. . .
Writer Lucienne Brown and award-winning artist Brian Rea tell Abby’s story of successes, failures, and unfortunate mishaps, making Fixing Flamingos a witty tribute to the most relatable struggles of modern-day existence.
UNIQUE PREMISE: This book offers an unexpected take on changing the world by imagining what happens when people play God. Fixing Flamingos is a simultaneously sweet and irreverent satire that blends the relatable humor of corporate bureaucracy and office drama with thoughtful perspectives on change, happiness, work, and growth.
PITCH-PERFECT ART: Beloved artist Brian Rea is a master at wielding his restrained line art to evoke maximum expressiveness, humor, and relatability. In Fixing Flamingos, his signature drawing style perfectly captures the wacky suggestions in the story.
FUN FOR EVERYONE: With its lovable narrator and amusing drawings, this book is a fun gift for lovers of indie graphic novels, speculative fiction readers, and fans of satirical send-ups like TV's The Office. Abby’s earnest ruminations and workplace antics will delight anyone who needs a break from the stresses of modern living. Whether you like to ponder big ideas or chuckle over a good fart joke, this book will surprise and satisfy you from the first page to the last.
Perfect for:
- Fans of Brian Rea
- Satirical comedy lovers
- Fans of office and workplace humor
- Fans of comic strips, graphic novels, and zines
- Art and illustration lovers
- People who enjoy dark humor and tongue-in-cheek stories about the afterlife
- Past, present and future interns, or anyone who has been given a task well above their paygrade or experience
- Shoppers looking for a funny gift for recent graduates, coworkers, or managers
- Fans of TV shows like The Good Place, The Office, and Miracle Workers
Lucienne Brown is a writer, body therapist, and wellbeing coach who grew up between Greece and the UK. She has worked on news and magazine publications in Athens and London and in event marketing worldwide. She lives in London with her cat and two plants.