Then We Came to the End: A Novel by Joshua Ferris
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Book Reviews of Then We Came to the End: A Novel
Book Review: A slow starter with a great finish.
Summary: 4 Stars
I will be the first to say that in the beginning of reading this novel, I was incredibly disappointed. I could not, for the life of me, understand why this book had received such incredible praise. However, around 250 pages in, the story has a dramatic change of focus and some brilliant character development rises to the surface. Additionally, as others have said, the last 20 pages are truly unique and show a literary insight that surpasses that which I would have originally credited the author.
To the negative reviewers who all admit to not finishing the book, your review really does present an unfair bias. Though it is problematic that it takes the book so long to get started, which is why I did not give it five stars, it is a great read.
Book Review: A novel that reads like "The Office"
Summary: 3 Stars
If you like the show, "The Office", you will probably enjoy this book. The petty day to day ins and outs of office drudgeries, pranks, personality quirks and irksome characters makes this a book anyone who has a job can appreciate. Although it was not a book that I was rushing to get back to, I certainly laughed out loud at several points. I read this for a book club, and overall, the group rated the book a 6/10. One woman hated it, one loved it, and the rest thought it was OK/good. Most of us liked best the middle passage in the book where there narrator changes, telling the story from the perspective of Lynn. That part had more of a fiction/novel feel to it, and is more serious. The rest of the book is mainly a string of loosely woven anecdotes about the employees and their idiosyncrasies.Book Review: My observational skills are lacking...
Summary: 3 Stars
Three months ago, I was browsing around in the library and came across the hardcover copy of this book. I've always enjoyed books about office life (i.e. Company, by Max Barry and Kings of Infinite Space, by James Hynes), so I grabbed it.
Within minutes of reading this book, I went insane with all the "we" references. I tried to like it...I really tried, but couldn't, and then scrapped it.
Now, I see the same book in Barnes and Noble (only this time in paperback with a different cover) read the description again, and now I've got the same book again, only I don't know it.
So I'm reading the crazy thing thinking it sounds familiar, and finally I realize what an idiot I am...and blah blah, but anyway...
I actually enjoyed the book this time. It wasn't great by any means... it was a tad long (but come on, my attention span isn't what it used to be). I really enjoyed reading little snippets about the lives of characters, and there was really a lot I could relate with.
If you're interested in all this freakishly overdone office crap like I am, you'll probably enjoy the book on some level.
I mean, how can you not love some pissed-off office worker dressed like a clown, blasting people with red paint pellets to make 'em think the end is near?
Book Review: Didn't want this novel to end!
Summary: 5 Stars
For those of you looking for a quick recommendation, I can say that this is the best book that I've read this year. It was funny but sad, outlandish but true, and I fell head over heels in love with it.
Ferris's novel is set in the fairly mundane setting of an office workplace, but the story extends far beyond this. It focuses on a group of individuals toiling away in a failing company, and examines the relationships that develop not just between these people with each other, but also with their jobs. It's told primarily from the first person perspective ("we"), but I didn't find this style gimmicky or difficult to deal with at all - in fact, I felt it really served the authors purpose of showing that these people were all in it together, for better or for worse, essentially an extended family for each other. Or maybe it also represents the corporate drone mentality that can easily strip away one's identity... take it as you will. Regardless, given this point of view, Ferris does a great job of really developing his characters in believable and compassionate way.
I've read several reviews claiming that this book is not funny. I guess it depends on your sense of humor. If you are looking for ribald, slap-stick humor in book format, then you probably will not find this book enjoyable. If you prefer a darker, wry humor, such as that seen in the movie "Office Space" or the television show "The Office", then you will probably find the humor in this novel as well. You need the ability to see the potential for humor in mundane and often futile situations. Comparisons between it and "Catch-22" are, I think, very apt as well. It won't be to everyone's taste, but for those who can appreciate that the lines between laughter and tears can often be very blurry indeed, then I think this book will be a worthwhile read. I found it both funny and touching, and consequently immensely rewarding. I look forward eagerly to Ferris's next book.
Book Review: An interesting character study
Summary: 4 Stars
Not your typical novel, Joshua Ferris' debut, "And Then We Came to an End," places the reader right in the middle of a group of somewhat wacky employees at a failing advertising industry. By narrating the story from the viewpoint of the first person "we" it's almost as if we're viewing things from the eyes of an anonymous co-worker, but we learn in the author's interview at the end of the book that he's using "we" in a collective sense. The book really consists of a number of vignettes describing scenes between co-workers who, like many of us, seem to have alot of time on their hands to avoid doing their jobs. The angst of employees at a failing company is well described, as are the travails of the various characters. The book is also quite funny at times (a bit reminiscent of "The Office"). Ferris makes an interesting choice by placing a chapter in the middle centered on the hard-working boss - Lynn Martin - and her denial of the disease she's suffering from.
A strong first effort, and an author I'm definitely going to follow. I'm interested in whether he tries to write a more conventional linear novel next.