Stinkbug (Sinéad Stubbins, Affirm)

Sinéad Stubbins’ debut fiction novel, Stinkbug, is a sharp, darkly funny reflection on the corporate ‘normal’ and the compromises we make to survive in a hostile environment. It meditates on the betrayals we commit to appear agreeable, drive profit, and keep our jobs. With biting wit, Stubbins delves into the heart of what it means to show up daily in a capitalist society and the systems that keep us tethered to it. Edith is a copywriter at Winked, a corporate advertising agency on the brink of restructuring. She and a group of coworkers embark on a work retreat, with anxieties bubbling, barely beneath the surface. Edith is determined to keep her position at Winked – especially now that her ex-boyfriend has been fired under mysterious circumstances – and will go to great lengths to ensure that happens. But as the narrative unfolds, the reader begins to question whether Edith is really our hero, the villain, or the scapegoat. Stinkbug is pumped with tension and satire and interrogates themes of how women are perceived in the workplace, providing a comedic view of the motivation behind workplace friendship. Stinkbug will appeal to readers of Yellowface and Stubbins’ memoir, In My Defence, I Have No Defence, further exploring themes of living up to impossible standards. Stubbins’ signature flavour of black humour shines in her new novel and will be enjoyed by anyone needing an escape from their daily grind.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Kate Dunphy is an emerging writer and bookseller based in Meanjin. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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