Joe Barrett (2)
Author of Managed Care
For other authors named Joe Barrett, see the disambiguation page.
Works by Joe Barrett
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- male
- Short biography
- Joe Barrett has spent the past twenty-five years as a chief executive of entrepreneurial organizations ranging from private, venture-funded companies to large publicly-listed multinational corporations. He has been a frequent speaker at National Retail Federation conferences and has sat on the boards of several for-profit and non-profit companies. His short fiction has been published in Iconoclast, The Storyteller and The Palo Alto Review. He lives with his wife and two children in South Tampa, Florida.
- Places of residence
- South Tampa, Florida, USA
- Map Location
- USA
Members
Reviews
I fell in love with Joe Barrett's writing with Managed Care. I then read about half of Daisy in the Doghouse and was disappointed. Barrett is back on top with this book.
I think what I enjoy the most is how Dan sees the world for what it is. Frank Johnson from Manager Care and Dan Johnson from this book both have a world weariness that makes them say exactly what's on their minds. I personally find protagonists like this to be the most satisfying. Maybe it's because I'd like to be more like show more them.
The story itself is uplifting. Dan's relationship leads him to do good works on behalf of the orphanage that his girlfriend works for. But it avoids the trap of becoming mawkish or saccharine. Dan remains wary, but recognizes that his actions are a net good.
I hope to read Joe Barrett's next book soon! show less
I think what I enjoy the most is how Dan sees the world for what it is. Frank Johnson from Manager Care and Dan Johnson from this book both have a world weariness that makes them say exactly what's on their minds. I personally find protagonists like this to be the most satisfying. Maybe it's because I'd like to be more like show more them.
The story itself is uplifting. Dan's relationship leads him to do good works on behalf of the orphanage that his girlfriend works for. But it avoids the trap of becoming mawkish or saccharine. Dan remains wary, but recognizes that his actions are a net good.
I hope to read Joe Barrett's next book soon! show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This novel, which is about a tech tycoon who decides to ditch his smartphone and unplug from the world, begins with some of the funniest writing I've ever read. I laughed so hard it hurt, no exaggeration. Though this book isn't sci-fi, it reminded me of the droll farce of Douglas Adams's novels. I was really interested in how the unplugged lifestyle would work, and how the protagonist would manage all the idiots and manipulators in his life. The book dials the humor down a bit when the show more protagonist, finally liberated from distraction, looks inward and figures out who he wants to be. He gets involved in a social cause, a romance, and an identity mix-up that he doesn't want to resolve just yet. The climax has the nuttiness of a John Hughes movie until it crosses a line, and crosses it hard. Though I didn't enjoy the ending as much as the beginning, it makes its point well: attention is everything. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This was the best book I've read from Early Reviewers. It was laugh out loud funny and sweet too. Such a lovely surprise. It wasn't perfect, certainly a few exchanges had me rolling my eyes a bit (soap addicted wife, anyone?!), but overall a really great read and I'd look up other books by Joe Barrett as a result.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Kindle book. Quirky, but fun read.KIRKUS REVIEWIn Barrett?s debut farcical novel, a 30-something man living in a managed care facility finds unlikely allies in two middle schoolers.New Jersey computer programmer Frank Johnson expects reimbursement after his grandfather dies prior to his stay at the Hardy Managed Care Facility. But as Ed Hardy refuses to refund Frank?s one-year advance payment, Frank moves in (perfectly legal, since he shares his name with his late grandfather). After six show more months of living in Room 422, he and Hardy are at a stalemate. Frank then meets Elroy, a 12-year-old foster kid, who?s at the facility as part of Rudolphsville Middle School?s newly minted Outreach Club. Elroy is just there to read to Frank, but this arrangement becomes an opportunity for Frank to enjoy time off campus. Hardy, of course, won?t let Frank choose a destination, but he likes Elroy?s idea: take Frank to a Catholic church for confession, an outing Hardy assumes Frank will despise. Frank?s excursions soon include the only other Outreach Club member, Sally Berman. Incidentally, Frank?s confessions inspire him to ?fix? the church by providing what he believes is missing: intimacy. Though Frank revels in impudence (he wears and periodically endorses adult diapers), his gradual affection for his preteen pals is endearing. For example, Elroy?s elation at merely spending time with someone else?s family gets an emotional response from Frank, a self-professed ?pretty hard-edged loner.? Elroy is a sympathetic character, enduring school bullies and living with an elderly couple unsuitable for fostering. Sally, too, recently lost her beloved Aunt Sadie to suicide and, burdened with an indifferent mother, becomes suicidal herself. The bond among the main characters, including the kids? potential romance, is charming. Less engaging, however, is Frank?s plan regarding the church. But it?s a great excuse for the trio?s frequent bouts of hilarious banter.Witty, occasionally crass, and an unqualified delight. show less
Awards
Statistics
- Works
- 4
- Members
- 117
- Popularity
- #168,596
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 18
- ISBNs
- 8
