Margo's Got Money Troubles: A Novel

Written by Rufi Thorpe

Narrated by Elle Fanning

Audiobook Narrated by Elle Fanning!

“The warmth of Thorpe’s tone, together with the thoroughness of her imagination and the artfulness of her pacing, means that skepticism is kept at bay. She sells us on both the characters and the plot . . . [in] this enormously entertaining and lovable book.” —Nick Hornby, New York Times Book Review 

A bold, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartwarming story about one young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, new motherhood, and her meager bank account in our increasingly online world—from the PEN/Faulkner finalist and critically acclaimed author of The Knockout Queen.

As the child of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, Margo Millet's always known she’d have to make it on her own. So she enrolls at her local junior college, even though she can’t imagine how she’ll ever make a living. She’s still figuring things out and never planned to have an affair with her English professor—and while the affair is brief, it isn’t brief enough to keep her from getting pregnant. Despite everyone’s advice, she decides to keep the baby, mostly out of naiveté and a yearning for something bigger.

Now, at twenty, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. She needs a cash infusion—fast. When her estranged father, Jinx, shows up on her doorstep and asks to move in with her, she agrees in exchange for help with childcare. Then Margo begins to form a plan: she’ll start an OnlyFans as an experiment, and soon finds herself adapting some of Jinx’s advice from the world of wrestling. Like how to craft a compelling character and make your audience fall in love with you. Before she knows it, she’s turned it into a runaway success. Could this be the answer to all of Margo’s problems, or does internet fame come with too high a price?

Blisteringly funny and filled with sharp insight, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a tender tale starring an endearing young heroine who’s struggling to wrest money and power from a world that has little interest in giving it to her. It’s a playful and honest examination of the art of storytelling and controlling your own narrative, and an empowering portrait of coming into your own, both online and off.   

?“A wholly original novel. . . . Thorpe is both poetic and profound in the way she brings her remarkable story to an end.” —The Associated Press 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9780063356610

Rufi Thorpe

Rufi Thorpe is the author of The Knockout Queen, a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner award; Dear Fang, with Love; and The Girls from Corona del Mar, which was long-listed for the International Dylan Thomas Prize and the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize. A native of California, she currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

Reviews for Margo's Got Money Troubles

[Meg Marsh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A surprisingly tender and funny book, current and original. Any writer will appreciate the irony of 1st–3rd person and all audiences will appreciate how well Elle Fanning narrated the book.! Loved it!!

[Angie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So fun! Heartwarming laugh out loud fun! I loved the story and the narrator was awesome.

[sue waterhouse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was ok, not an outstanding read
Funny characters for sure!

[Chele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Happy I listened to this recommended and smartly written modern story!

[kyokoyasui · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first I thought Margo is too young to understand what she was doing. Becoming a single mom without help or financial support! However the story goes on, I found Margo quite smart, confident, caring, even innovative. I am proud of her in the end. I am really like her. Very motivating story!

[mikki.hogan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book, the only thing I didn’t love was the romance angle. Seemed like a bit of an unnecessary side story.

[Rebecca Byrne · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just OK. Funny at times. Pretty sure I was not the right audience for this.

[naevis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

elle fanning u r amazing! so excited for the series to come out! looking forward to it <3

[Kenesha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book surprised me. Apart from the blasphemy ( just, why?), I found the story very interesting.

[cnicoles05 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure to expect heading into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a funny MC in a crappy situation who keeps finding ways make things work. The discourse on how capitalism isn't set up to support women, the classism in health care, and the general disdain people have for sex work was poignant and thought provoking in a lot of ways. The switching between 1st and 3rd person narration didn't bother me via audio, but it could be distracting for some readers. There are some parts of the book about writing and characters that are very meta, and while it was tempting to get sucked into the inception of it all, I decided to take the story at face value and enjoy the ride.

[Jessica Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whoa! This book had so many hysterical references. I loved the perfectly imperfect characters, the storyline and the comical descriptions that also had me laughing out loud. An added bonus was the WWE!

[Eszter Nagy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Extremely funny and witty, thought-provoking and wise.It has been a blast to listen to this.

[Chris Bergeron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its casual, yet engaging storytelling.

[Angela Dubs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining and fun, with an incisive look at the challenges for single mothers.

[jerrybrandenburg517 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t know how to review this. At first I thought the story line sagged at times but somehow the way it’s written it just works. The author has this incredible way of narrating and creating characters that made Margo feel so real and like a friend. And it’s written in a way that is not hard to follow and feels as tho your Margo’s friend and you are right beside her going thru life with her (if that makes sense) Nice and easy to follow and had a good story line and ending. When the book was over I could envision her future success. I will definitely read this author again. *****

[Diana Darce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just… what a great character. And the writing. What great writing

[Sasha Austin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is delightful! I devoured it in a day. The narrator is brilliant and the story of Margo finding herself and figuring things out is beautiful.

[V Warfield · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has a very interesting perspective. On the surface, there's the story of a twenty-year-old adjusting to parenthood while navigating self employment on Only Fans. Below that, there's an exploration of what makes a person a parent and different ways that can look. Below that, there's a bit of a legal nudge about the ways Family Services can violate people's rights and how to defend yourself. There are discussions of sociological issues worked into the story in a natural way. But what really got me was the discussion of the significance of fictional perspective. At one point, the author breaks the fourth wall and asks the reader why they think a person would create an entire fictional world with all the detail that requires, just to tell this particular story? I think I know, and I have so much respect for the author for raising these issues in a book that is not only thought-provoking (and instructive) but also a surprisingly good story.

[Kari VanHeulen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this so much! Such a great perspective. I have 5* because of that but you acould very well have lost one or two because of the Mary rape reference. That was EXTREMELY offensive.
What was the purpose of that!?

[jxqg5thx79 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I saw a few reviews really not enjoying this book. I’m glad I read it anyway - I loved this book! Great storytelling, unique characters. I wish there were more Margo stories with all the characters. I wanted to get to know them better.

[Mrinalini Ghoshal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such beautiful writing..I absolutely loved this book. Highly recommend it

[Melinda Mckinsey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You get pulled directly into the story. The characters are so interesting and provocative.
Sad when I finished, I wanted more.
Highly recommend

[Annette · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elle Fannings blasé narration style is a perfect accompaniment to this odd, intriguing little book about everyman characters existing within fringed corners of society. The slice of life attitude to this story challenges you to face the salacious notion of only fans, and the showy nature of wrestling by humanizing performers, flaws and all. However, sometimes Margo feels painfully frustrating in what feels like an effort to make her quirky.com so much that she appears both Iike a noble idiot and an edge lord, but maybe that's what being 20 feels like and Margo has many problems and we have to grow up with her or hope she does, eventually.

4stars????

[Colleen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An utterly appealing novel to read. It's a feel good book.

[nursejinae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unexpected storyline and unlike anything I’ve read yet! Unique and detailed characters. Sad it’s over! Also, narrator was awesome!

[M Haddad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderfully entertaining and fun-loving, smart novel by an author I like
a lot! As a mother who loves unconditionally and a daughter who knows how to forgive, I identified and fell in love:) with Margot. Keep writing Rufi Thorpe! Elle Fanning also ‘created’ a perfect Margot ??????????

[Kel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun book to read and listen to. Elle fanning did a great job narrating this. I should’ve known this book would have so many WWE references but I didn’t expect so many. It was interesting hearing Margo’s relationship with family members and who showed up for her when she unexpectedly became pregnant.

[Sara Ellis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got the arc of this book and it was so good! She is one of my absolute favorite authors.

[Jenna Vaughn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute and better than expected. I liked the way the author approached only fans and recognized the real dangers sex workers have to consider.

[ryanjaymce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great narration and the book kept me on my toes and was light and fun. Finished it within 3 days