When Scat comes up with the 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.
Download and start listening now!
"I do want to sayt hat this book pulled me in. The suspense was good. Unfortunately, I think the slick marketing world may have been created a little too well. It had realism, but was often unpleasant to read. It's good in that it provoked emotion, but it just didn't seem to find that balance in making me enjoy feeling unpleasant. That's just me and my tastes, but that's ultimately what I have to use to judge anything. Just my two cents."
— David (4 out of 5 stars)
“Scott Brick handily delivers Barry’s zany story of marketing and corporate politics…Brick has a ball bringing these unlikely combatants to a wacky climax. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“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“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" This book is pretty awesome. I read through it in like 4 hours cause I was so into it, and it is not that long. If you love marketing and girls with weird names, perfect book for you. "
— Michael, 2/20/2014" I don't know if it's the fact that this book is too naive for me or I just missed out on how it's supposed to be "sharp" and "sarcastically funny", but either way I thought this book was pretty dumb. As a previous reviewer commented, "I like reading stories about somewhat realistic people doing somewhat realistic things". I stopped falling for the lame hype of downtown LA and the corporate world a long time ago, and Syrup doesn't even do the glittering, star-studded streets justice in this novel. The characters are extremely under-developed and unmotivated. In fact, they aren't even likeable or unlikeable - they just exist. The plot is completely unstructured, the only benefit being that you never know what's going to happen next. The downside being that what happens is usually stupid, unrealistic and uninteresting. The writing is incredibly juvenile, and conversations are dull. At least the formatting of the chapters and scenes is cool, and the marketing case studies cropping up all over the place are a nice touch. But overall, this book really lacked in substance. "
— Jess, 2/10/2014" This is the second time i've read this book. it's still great! very funny and unpredictable. "
— Christine, 1/29/2014" Douglas Coupland meets T.C. Boyle. Pretty good. "
— Ben, 1/24/2014" I'd give this 4.5 stars. "
— Ellie, 1/22/2014" Awesome satire of the marketing and advertising industry. "
— Patrick, 1/21/2014" This is by far my most favorite Max Barry book ever. I loved the story and the characters that supported it. Consider this a book that is completely worth owning. "
— Cory, 1/20/2014" A little too much bouncing back and forth between 6 and Cindy, but still very good. Great author. "
— Abby, 1/18/2014" great if you want a quick read that looks into the not so realistic world of advertising. All in all I am a sucker for cliche characters and I was working answering phones. "
— Jessie, 1/17/2014" I listened to this book while driving to California. Although I never laughed out loud it was amusing. Beware there is alot of swearing. "
— Barbara, 1/14/2014" Hilarious! This book keeps the laughs flowing! "
— Sam, 1/14/2014" The plot could use some sweetener. Next I'll try reading "Jennifer Government" since I did enjoy "Company." "
— Jane, 1/2/2014" Max Barry's first novel. A marketing adventure comedy romance about Coke executives in what will, sadly, probably be the future of marketing. "
— Dante, 12/20/2013" Syrup is one of THE most enjoyable books I have ever read...and my favorite by Max (he went by Maxx for this book only) Barry. Jennifer Government and Company are both good, but Syrup was Barry at his most raw. "
— Eden, 12/17/2013" Couldn't stop reading this book. The main character was truly endearing. "
— Lilli, 12/12/2013" Fucking great read. Engaging, fast paced, smart... this book is great. I am definitely going to have to read more books by this guy. "
— Joshtothemaxx, 12/4/2013" A very funny, well written marketing tale. While completely unbelievable in whole, too many of the individual elements are frighteningly close to the truth. Think of this as "The Office" for marketing. Well done. "
— Mark, 11/18/2013" I read this book about 10 years ago and just finished it as a book on tape. I appreciated it a lot more this time, after spending time working in marketing- and if you have, this is pretty funny. "
— Cassi, 11/11/2013" Forget the movie, it sucked and wasn't much like the book...the book was very good. "
— David, 9/23/2013" This is an incredibly hilarious satire that to this day reminds me that sometimes a good marketing strategy is all you need. I still laugh at people with nicknames like @ and California. "
— Darnell, 7/2/2013" Good read. Reminded too much of reality. Lol. "
— Chase, 12/2/2012" Syrup is pulp, but highly entertaining, fast-paced, and laugh-out-loud funny pulp. "
— Andrew, 11/9/2012" Cute idea drawn out over an inordinate number of pages with no real redeeming characters. "
— Robert, 7/29/2012" Recently re-read for perhaps the 23rd or 24th time, aloud with my father out camping. It's one of the best read-aloud books in print today. WHEN WILL THEY MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE?!?!? "
— Becca, 5/9/2012" I love Maxx Barry. I think he's hilarious, his style of sarcasm is just perfect for me. The whole idea about selling a new line of coke and names like Scat and 6 - I thought it was really brilliant. Great read for sure! Definitely can go through this one again. "
— Cyma, 2/28/2012" Super fun and bubbly. Very funny. "
— Ann, 9/1/2011" Fascinating, hilarious. And now they're making it into a movie. Big thumbs up. "
— Russ, 5/16/2011" A very funny, well written marketing tale. While completely unbelievable in whole, too many of the individual elements are frighteningly close to the truth. Think of this as "The Office" for marketing. Well done. "
— Mark, 5/8/2011" Engaging, short and fun. Max Barry's take on Marketing in his first novel is not very original, but he manages to make a pretty straightforward plot come alive with lovable characters, even if they are a bit carboard. Light reading that you don't regret at all. "
— René, 5/5/2011" The plot could use some sweetener. Next I'll try reading "Jennifer Government" since I did enjoy "Company." "
— Jane, 4/25/2011" The book is ok. Interesting Corporate Fiction "
— Prashant, 4/21/2011" A really good read. Clever and engaging and I swear I quote the thing about vending machines and ball point pens killing people all the time! "
— Tara, 2/20/2011" Good read. Reminded too much of reality. Lol. "
— Chase, 1/15/2011" Love Max Barry - always clever writing and this one is no exception "
— Lou, 12/26/2010" fascinating take on corporate world and the good and evil of marketing strategies to sell an idea/product. i could not figure out if i was supposed to hate the main character or not. "
— Amanda, 10/15/2010" It gets a little silly in the end (well, throughout the whole thing), but it definitely got a point across. "
— Kristen, 9/12/2010" A quick read. Very entertaining book. A lucky bout of sleeplessness allowed me to read this book in just under 3 hours. <br/><br/>This book moves very quickly and was a lot of fun to read.<br/><br/>I am looking forward to ready other Max Barry books.<br/> "
— Jeff, 9/6/2010" Hilariously funny send up of corporate America and marketing. It ends like an urban fantasy tale (thank god!) "
— Karmen, 8/5/2010" I listened to this book while driving to California. Although I never laughed out loud it was amusing. Beware there is alot of swearing. "
— Barbara, 7/21/2010" funny, light and a quick read. "
— Carolyn, 7/18/2010Maxx Barry is a survivor from the trenches of corporate marketing and has taught the subject at two major Australian universities. This is his first novel.
Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.