The Opposite of Success

All Lorrie wants is to get promoted, accept her body and end global warming. By Friday. Is that really too much to ask?

Council employee Lorrie Hope has a great partner, two adorable kids and absolutely no idea what to do with her life. This Friday, she’s hoping for change: it’s launch day for her big work project, and she’s applied for a promotion she’s not entirely sure she wants. Meanwhile, her best friend, Alex, is stuck in a mess involving Lorrie’s rakish ex, Ruben—or, more accurately, his wife. Oh, and Ruben’s boss happens to be the mining magnate Sebastian Glup, who is sponsoring Lorrie’s project…

As the day spirals from bad to worse to frankly unhinged, Lorrie and Alex must reconsider what they can expect from life, love and middle management. The Opposite of Success is a riotously funny debut novel about work, motherhood, friendship—and the meaning of failure itself.

Eleanor Elliott Thomas worked for many years as a lawyer before devoting herself to writing full-time. She lives in Melbourne with her partner and two daughters. The Opposite of Success is her first novel.


‘The Opposite of Success is full of the riches of life: joy, hilarity, intelligence, stupidity and bad behaviour. I loved it.’ Sophie Cunningham



‘Like a brilliant conversation, The Opposite of Success is witty, honest and full of natural charisma.’ Jessica Au