Calls May Be Recorded for Training and Monitoring Purposes

The woes of a lowly call center operator at a London travel agency shape this acerbic narrative from Volckmer (The Appointment). The story unfolds over the course of a single day, as Jimmie fields complaints from luxury hotel guests, including a woman upset that she can’t book a “Romantic Spa Break” for one; neurotic questions about shark attacks in the Mediterranean; and other annoyances. Adding to his indignities, Jimmie lives with his widowed mother, whom he resents for being “forever in love with her own sadness,” and whose lipstick he wears at work for kicks. Meanwhile, Jimmie recalls happier times—specifically, when he played the role of a mourning relative or friend at “poorly attended” funerals, a more fulfilling job than his current role because he dealt with “people with real problems.” Looming over his day is a scheduled meeting with his boss, Simon, the call center’s “sinister master,” which could mean the end to his tenure at the company. (His responses to customer queries are often absurdly unhelpful: “Do you reckon your blood has the same color as my lipstick?” he asks the caller who’s afraid of sharks). Volckmer’s novel is a bit meandering and light on plot, but consistently hilarious and surprising in its weirdness. This irreverent comedy will resonate with anyone who’s toiled in a dead-end job. (Sept.)