Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Summary

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe follows a down-on-her-luck single mother who turns to OnlyFans and rates men's explicit photos for money to support herself and her baby. The novel explores Margo's journey into sex work, her complicated relationship with her father Jinx (a former professional wrestler), and her struggle to navigate motherhood while facing financial desperation. Despite tackling controversial topics, the book is described as hilariously funny, irreverent, and deeply moving rather than sexually explicit.

Rufi Thorpe is a California-based literary fiction author who received her MFA from the University of Virginia in 2009. She has written four novels: The Girls from Corona del Mar (longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize), Dear Fang, with Love, The Knockout Queen (a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist), and Margo's Got Money Troubles. Thorpe grew up with her single mother in California and draws on personal experiences to explore themes of motherhood, feminism, and resilience in her work.

Margo's Got Money Troubles is ideal for readers who enjoy sharp, irreverent literary fiction that tackles taboo subjects with humor and heart. This book suits those interested in modern motherhood, internet culture, sex work narratives, and feminist perspectives on female empowerment. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories with quirky, flawed protagonists and unconventional storytelling will find this compelling. However, those uncomfortable with OnlyFans content or explicit discussions of sex work may want to reconsider.

Margo's Got Money Troubles has received widespread acclaim, with The Washington Post calling it "the feel-good novel we need right now" and Nick Hornby praising it as "enormously entertaining and lovable" in the New York Times Book Review. Readers consistently describe it as surprisingly wonderful, hilarious, and deeply moving, with many finishing it in one sitting. The audiobook narrated by Elle Fanning adds another dimension to the experience. While some criticize its overly optimistic portrayal of sex work, most agree the sharp writing and memorable characters make it worthwhile.

Margo's Got Money Troubles explores the "obsessive veneration of motherhood and the ways in which mothers are expected to become practically superhuman, without failings, flaws, or even personal needs". The novel examines:

• Sex work through OnlyFans
• Financial desperation
• Single motherhood
• Female empowerment in unconventional ways

Rufi Thorpe also delves into internet culture, the complexities of parent-child relationships (particularly with Margo's father Jinx), and resilience in the face of systemic challenges. The book questions why female strength must come with purity and virginity expectations.

Margo's Got Money Troubles is not a romance novel, despite some readers initially expecting it to be. The book has zero spice level and contains no romantic tropes—it's purely about Margo's personal journey as a single mother navigating financial survival. Rufi Thorpe focuses the narrative entirely on Margo's character development, her relationship with her son and father, and her entrance into sex work. While there are intimate themes related to OnlyFans content, the story prioritizes Margo's resilience and self-discovery over romantic relationships.

Margo's Got Money Troubles employs an innovative dual POV structure that switches between third-person and first-person narration of Margo. The first-person Margo addresses readers directly with the benefit of hindsight and perspective, while the third-person sections follow her past self navigating events in real-time. This creates a sense that past Margo is almost a separate character who doesn't yet know the reader exists. The structure suggests an act of self-compassion, as if present-day Margo has forgiven herself for previous mistakes.

Jinx is Margo's father and a former professional wrestler who plays a central role in Margo's Got Money Troubles. Despite being flawed, Jinx is described as a wonderful, quirky, and captivating character who develops a meaningful relationship with his daughter throughout the story. The father-daughter dynamic between Margo and Jinx provides emotional depth and tenderness to balance the book's irreverent humor. Rufi Thorpe was partly inspired by wrestling culture and wanted to explore unconventional family relationships and what it means for imperfect people to show up for each other.

Critics argue that Margo's Got Money Troubles presents an unrealistically optimistic portrayal of sex work, with Margo becoming a "super savvy businesswoman" making thousands of dollars too easily. Readers in the sex work industry note that building such financial success typically takes years, and the novel doesn't adequately address the catastrophic risks and platform bans that workers face. Some found the social media/TikTok storylines unrealistic and the resolution of serious issues like CPS investigations too easy. The book's "sunshine-y" tone downplays the harsh reality that "sex work is forever" and carries lasting consequences.

Rufi Thorpe portrays sex work through Margo's OnlyFans journey as liberation and financial empowerment rather than exploitation. The narrative follows Margo creating content where she strikes suggestive poses and rates explicit photos for money, presenting this as a viable solution to her financial desperation. Thorpe examines sex work through Margo's humorous, sharp commentary on internet culture and fame. However, the portrayal has been criticized for making sex work appear too easy and lucrative, potentially sending a "dangerous message" by glossing over the years of effort and serious consequences that real sex workers face.

Rufi Thorpe was inspired to write Margo's Got Money Troubles after watching Wonder Woman in 2017, which made her question why female superheroes must be virginal. This led her to explore feminist themes around female power without purity requirements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thorpe began examining "the obsessive veneration of motherhood" and impossible expectations placed on mothers to be superhuman without personal needs. The novel also emerged from her interest in the exploding popularity of OnlyFans and the cultural pushback against sex workers during that period.

Yes, Margo's Got Money Troubles is available as an audiobook narrated by actress Elle Fanning. The audiobook is highly recommended by readers and reviewers who praise Fanning's performance for bringing the character to life. The audio format particularly enhances the humor and irreverent tone of Rufi Thorpe's writing, making it an accessible and engaging way to experience the story. Many readers report finishing the audiobook quickly due to its entertaining and easy-to-follow narration.