"Nice Work" is a novel by British author David Lodge. The story follows two protagonists: Robyn Penrose, a feminist academic who specializes in 19th-century industrial novels, and Vic Wilcox, a middle-aged businessman who runs a factory producing engineering parts.
When a government initiative forces Penrose and Wilcox to spend time together for a project called "shadowing", they initially clash due to their very different backgrounds and perspectives. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to gain an understanding of each other's worlds and start to develop a connection.
The novel explores themes such as class, gender, education, and the role of the individual in society. It also satirizes academia and business culture, with Lodge drawing on his own experiences in both fields to create memorable and often humorous characters.
"Nice Work" was well-received upon its publication and won the Sunday Express Book of the Year award. The novel was also adapted into a successful TV series in the UK, starring Haydn Gwynne as Penrose and Warren Clarke as Wilcox.
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