The Burnout: A Novel

Studies show that stress levels are up in 2023. A full twenty-six percent of adults suffer more stress than ever before. The emphasis on work/life balance conversely increases this stress since few of us can manage to balance the those demands. Increasingly, organizations require more from fewer workers.

The lead characters of this novel have been burned out by their dysfunctional work life. The main character, Sasha, has scores of e-mails to answer and projects to plan yet her Human Resources Department reminds her that she is very behind in logging her aspirations on the corporate bulletin board. Without participation, their “Joyfulness” program isn’t complete.

She doesn’t feel she can properly radiate the requisite joy while doing the work of three others. Her answer after a meltdown is to seek refuge at her favorite childhood seaside resort. Her multi-tasking mother sets up a complete restoration program at the resort. Unfortunately, the resort hasn’t aged well and the beach becomes overcrowded by one other burnout who displays as snarly an attitude as Sasha feels.

Altogether, a timely, relatable, and page-turning story.