People Who Lunch is the debut essay collection by Melbourne- based writer Sally Olds. Each essay takes on its own character, binding together social observations on workand leisure from the past, present and future. Throughout the collection, Olds laces together love and labour, community and technology, questioning our relationships and the structures of worth we ascribe to them all.

In ‘The Buffalo Club’, we are treated to a carefully executed exploration of one of Melbourne’s most puzzling secret societies and the ephemerality of communes with rich histories. Olds sharpens her wit in ‘A Manifesto for Post-Work Polyamory’, connecting ‘post-work’ and ‘polyamory’ in their anti-capitalist cores and proposing a new ideology for engaging with labour in relationships and work. The intimate ‘For Discussion and Resolution’ divulges confessions of jealousy and interrogates the place of sex, monogamy and power in relationships. ‘Good Times in Venice’ is an addictive examination of leisure and how capital can be extracted from excitement, as witnessed when Olds and her friends go clubbing. ‘The Beautiful Piece’ formulises the trials of the literary creator, providing a unique commentary on theory, trauma and the attention economy. And finally, ‘Crypto Forever’ is a modern look at the philosophical technocrat, tackling the mythical crypto fanatic with both light-hearted mockery and consideration of the figure’s darker roots in a dangerous cyber-utopianist future.

Each essay is a heady and pleasurable exploration of value, worth and society. Every illustrious adventure is scribed in riveting colour, and Olds is vulnerable and sharply precise, masterfully laying down crumbs that span time and space. The collection feels unique and refreshing. It probes into some of the most intimate areas of modern society and interrogates our ideals with dazzling skill and brevity.

Nishtha Banavalikar is a bookseller at Readings Emporium.