To The Bittersweet End

Book review by Hanns Mutzbauer in the local newspaper Ebersberger Zeitung (Münchner Merkur):

“An ambitious young woman is making her way in the world, embarking on a career that she hopes will take her to the very top. That, at least, is the trail laid by debut author Alice N. York.

The writer, who resides in Greater Munich and is a private supporter of charitable causes, thrusts the reader into a ruthless, unscrupulous professional world in which no prisoners are taken. In her recently published novel GAME Faint Signals (German original title Richtungswechsel), the author provides – as stressed by the Glonn-based publisher – a searingly honest depiction of life behind the scenes at a technology company. And it doesn’t make for easy reading.

Against the backdrop of discussions currently being held on the subject of women in management positions, Alice N. York describes the rise, stumble and ultimate fall of her heroine, Alex. A young woman who comes highly recommended, York’s heroine ventures into the lion’s den eyes wide open. The consultancy job she has been offered at a leading solar company seems tailor-made for her – a dream job (in the truest sense of the word) in an industry dominated by men.

No pain, no gain. She accepts the challenge. Within no time, she begins to ascend through the ranks, familiarizing herself with complex new technology and expertly building an intricate network that includes both partners and prospective clients; climbing the company ladder rung by rung.

A woman holding her own in a man’s world – privately and professionally. But the workplace is subject to different laws and Alex is forced to realize that you can’t always get what you want from life.

Despite her enthusiasm for developing long-term strategies and implementing them practically, she is soon confronted with problems that leave her no choice but to affect an about-face. The management team that she has since become part of leave her hanging. Too much ambition is unhealthy, making her unpopular and suspicious. Also beset with private challenges, a change in direction – an about-face – is the only thing that can prevent Alex from floundering completely.

The adoptive Münchnerin, Alice N. York portrays life in the workplace with extraordinary accuracy.

The novel serves as a case study on the subject of equal opportunities for all – but for women especially. Its pages are plastered with memorable characters and affecting experiences, without ever becoming overly emotive or contrived. The author paints reality as it is. She doesn’t deal in hackneyed cliches but in hard facts. Only at the very end does this noteworthy tale offer something close to resembling a conciliatory tone, giving heart to women in particular. After 450 pages, the happy ending doesn’t feel kitschy or artificial. Nor should readers be put off the by author’s frequent use of technical jargon; they simply have to persevere.

Published by Capscovil in Glonn, this is a novel that deserves to be read, rather than simply glossed over; York has succeeded in creating a heroine whose arc is worth following right through to the bittersweet end.”

Reuse of book review by by kind permission of Ebersberger Zeitung (Copyright, Original Article published on September 2nd, 2010).

GAME Faint Signal“, Capscovil Verlag, Glonn, ISBN 978-3-942358-08-8, available in print and as eBook, Kindle and iBook version.

2022-05-12T18:35:50+01:00

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