Courtney has been reading and collecting books almost as long as she’s been alive. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Creative Writing. Courtney has been writing with Book Riot since 2019, and is a Bibliologist with TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations. She’s currently brainstorming for her next creative project. You can follow her on Instagram.

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I first became acquainted with Rufi Thorpe’s writing with The Knockout Queen, a queer coming-of-age friendship novel. When Thorpe’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles released last June, I eagerly began the audiobook without much prior knowledge of the plot. This was probably for the best.

cover of Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe; illustration of a blonde woman in an orange sweater lying facedown on a pink couch

In it, single mom Margo is teetering on the edge of hopelessness after losing her job and quitting college. After irresponsibly signing a contract involving her son, Bodhi, Margo has to figure out a way to make ends meet. That’s where Jinx comes in—Margo’s former pro-wrestler father. Fresh from rehab, Jinx offers his babysitting services in exchange for room and board.      

Tapping into Jinx’s wrestling expertise, Margo creates a wacky online persona. She begins posting elaborate videos to TikTok to promote content for OnlyFans. Naming her profile “HungryGhost,” Margo offers a service providing comedic feedback on subscribers’ pics.  Balancing motherhood with her new enterprise, Margo learns to give herself and others grace.

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Both the reader and Margo are required to look at past Margo’s mistakes with tenderness as she seeks love and fulfillment. In Buddhism, the final stage of enlightenment, before becoming a Buddha is called Bodhisattva, shortened to Bodhi. Margo’s son, Bodhi, is with her during her entire journey as she matures and finds self-actualization. Margo ponders her own goodness and choices. Margo’s screen name, HungryGhost, is a reference to the supernatural beings in Buddhism and Chinese Taoism who are forced to roam the earth, forever hungry. Switching back and forth between first and third-person perspectives, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is reflective and compassionate. Elle Fanning narrates the audiobook, bringing warmth and humor to Margo’s naïveté.  

According to IMDb, Apple TV and A24 are set to release an adaptation of Margo’s Got Money Troubles starring Elle Fanning as Margo and Nick Offerman as Jinx. While no release date has been set, filming is scheduled for this spring. I cannot wait.  

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