Syrup

By: Maxx Barry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

When Scat comes up with an idea for the hottest new soda ever, he's sure he'll retire as the next savvy marketing success story. But in the treacherous waters of corporate America, there are no sure things. Suddenly Scat finds himself scrambling to save not only his idea, but his yet-to-be-realized career. With the help of a scarily beautiful and brainy girl called 6, he sets out on a mission to reclaim the fame and fortune that, time and again, elude him.

This brilliant debut is a scathingly hilarious send-up of celebrity, sexual politics, corporate America, and the fleeting status that comes with getting to the table first before the other guy has you for lunch.

©1999 Maxx Barry (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Seductively hip....Wickedly funny." (USA Today)
"Barry's delightful first novel delivers a charming and hilarious send-up of the wicked world of marketing....This terrific comic novel is certain to provoke as many belly laughs in print as it might one day on screen." (Booklist)
"A deft, satirical indictment of an industry that makes its living pushing satire, Syrup is understandably deep in hip meta references. What distinguishes the novel from, say, a Thomas Frank-style critique is that it never gets mushy, even after Scat lands the girl." (SPIN)

Syrup is sweet

From the author of Jennifer Government and Company, Comes another satirical masterpiece. This Time his target is Marketing. When Scat comes up a Million dollar Idea for a new type of Coke, he thinks he's on the way to easy street. When his idea is stolen, he teams up with a 6 , a highly intelligent and mysterious woman to come up with the next Million idea. With shots at everything from celebrities to Coke itself. it's a great ride to follow Scat, 6 and their friends, enemies through their ups and downs. The narrator does a good job and the story is classic Max or Maxx Barry it moves at a steady pace and doesn't get tangled up. a good listen or read if you get the chance. also catch his other books if you liked them you like this one. and vice versa.

Entertaining

This would really benefit from multiple voice actors.

It's a bit dated at this point, but is still an entertaining listen. There is so, so much business backstabbing.

In typical fashion for this author, he tries to be sensitive and recognize gender issues, but does so in a way that may not always come off well.

I feel there are a few things that could have been elaborated on more at the end.

Light Reading

This was a very fun and light read. Not many twists and turns but still very funny satire. The book presents an interesting and accurate perspective of corporate america and especially the male dominated marketing world. Scott Brick adds to the quality of the writing with his outstanding narrator skills.

Scary!

Mr. Barry gives us a story about a scary, alien world: the world of marketing. It made me want to hide under the covers ... from all exposure to advertising. Of course, I guess all of the back-biting, manipulation, maneuvering, and betrayal described in "Syrup" goes on in other worlds besides the marketing world (politics comes to mind ...), but Mr. Barry portrays these underhanded dirty-dealings in a terrifying (and hilarious) scenario that makes the listener cringe. The reader, Scott Brick, does a good job, despite his unpleasant, nasal voice. "Syrup" does not provide gripping listening, but adequate entertainment.

Nice story.....

Any additional comments?

Dude, just a one time shot? Your story was really good!!! Come back to reality and write more!!!!
By the way, if you don't get Scott Brick to narrate, don't bother!!!.....

Hilarious and accurate portrayal of the C suite

This was a phenomenal read. The book tells the true secrets of executive politics while pretending to be a comedy (a very good one nonetheless).

Perfect Satire

Maxx Barry is a master of satire. Company is one of my favorite books of light reading so I was ecstatic to find another Barry book on Audible.

I'm a Credit snob and I always feel like I'm getting ripped off if the book is under 18 hours. This book is a classic case of quality over quantity. I found myself alone in the car laughing out loud on multiple occasions.

With simple efficient writing and uncomplicate characters that don't need a lot of development, Barry gets to spend the entire book making fun of big business and (in this case) marketing. With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and could relate to them as being the extreme's of people I have met before.

If you are looking for some deep thought provoking literature, this isn't it. If you just got done reading Ayn Rand and need a brain break, this is 5 star perfect.

Very Enjoyable

I know opinions differ, but the other reviews surprised me. I totally enjoyed this and was dissappointed when I found that Audible didn't have any other of Maxx Barry's titles. Very funny, and Scott Brick is a very good narrator. I laughed out loud in many places, and that's not something I normally do.

Great author's first book.

Reading Syrup gives a deeper understanding of Max Barry's other remarkable works including my favorite, Jennifer Government. It's too bad Audible misspelled his first name because it breaks the link from Syrup to Machine Man, Lexicon, JG, and Company... all interesting and thought provoking while also just good reads.

A Sweet Story

Hold on to your Mr William or whatever. Fast paced roller coster listen. A story about Corparate infighting, romance,success, rejection and love. Excellent writing with well defined enjoyable characters. My best listen this year (over 100 this year)