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I wanted to like this book, but it just didn’t work for me. To vault directly to the ending, that in particular let me down. Big fat gimmick. If that was one of the main purposes for the use of the first person plural, then I felt somewhat like the victim of a shaggy dog joke.
At first, the first person plural seemed fine with me, but ultimately I think what it did was, instead of involving me as a participant, as part of the “we,” it distanced me from the book. On reflection, I think it was beca ...more
At first, the first person plural seemed fine with me, but ultimately I think what it did was, instead of involving me as a participant, as part of the “we,” it distanced me from the book. On reflection, I think it was beca ...more
In his first effort, Ferris creates a book that is somewhat like peanuts: you just keep on reading, not actually paying complete attention. Ferris is successful in re-creating the atmosphere of a downward-spiraling workplace, showing the characters' behaviors, motives, and interactions deteriorating along with the company's fortunes.
Ferris also portrays the feelings of a woman facing cancer surgery in a completely believable and moving way. This part of the book is told from a third person p.o.v ...more
Ferris also portrays the feelings of a woman facing cancer surgery in a completely believable and moving way. This part of the book is told from a third person p.o.v ...more
This book is showing up on several year-end "best of 2007" lists. Deservedly so, in my opinion. A fictional account of life in a pre 9/11 Chicago advertising agency that is hitting hard times and where downsizing is suddenly a weekly reality, it's enormously readable. In part, because of the irresistibly gossipy tone that is maintained throughout, also because the author is pitch-perfect at capturing the mixture of minor irritations, backstabbing, politics, and genuine fear for one's security th
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I decided to read this because I've had my eye on his more recent book. Frankly now that I've forced myself to finish this one I'm not sure I have the patience to try this author again, unless I hear otherwise.
The story idea was good, a formerly well-off bunch of office workers facing an economic slump. But the storytelling was incredibly tedious and mundane. It did help that he changed the point of view 2/3 through, but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone. A shame since it did start out well ...more
The story idea was good, a formerly well-off bunch of office workers facing an economic slump. But the storytelling was incredibly tedious and mundane. It did help that he changed the point of view 2/3 through, but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone. A shame since it did start out well ...more
Warning! For those of you who depend on Recorded Books for unabridged audiobooks, this one is abridged. It is produced by Hatchette Audio and distributed by Recorded Books. I never feel like I have fully read a book when it is abridged and it may affect my reaction to the work as a whole. However, with that caveat, I will say that I thought Ferris did an excellent job with the first person plural point of view. He conveyed that sense of operating and reacting as a unit with little individual qui
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Why did it take me so long to get to this amazing book? I wondered for about a third of the book if I would love it as much if the advertising office setting, culture and downsizing didn't seem so familiar (my years as creative editor in a dot.com creative services department = worst years of my life, now highly romanticized). And the answer is, YES! I think it works no matter what your work history. Ferris writes most of this in plural (we) and, amazingly, it works w/o being trite or gimmicky (
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Aug 20, 2008
Yulia
marked it as left-unfinished
Eeks, every page of my library copy stinks of tobacco smoke (which is bad for my health besides the obvious reasons). Will it be necessary to request a non-smoker's edition of a book? The library should have fined the previous borrower to be able to replace the copy. OK, rant over. Carry on with your smoking.
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i read this book in three days, stayed up late, all that good stuff. a hipster writer I was wary of, but I found myself laughing and feeling moved a lot. so why did he end the book with a couple of stupid gimmicks? it killed the five-star rating for me, but still this is a 4.78+er.
If you've ever worked in an office, you'll love this book. The economy is crummy, so this advertising agency doesn't have much business. Thus, the employees spend more time, well, wasting time. Really funny novel.
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One of the many things to champion about this novel is its cubicle point of view...I really liked this book and am looking forward to reading more of Ferris' work.
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If "The Office" were turned into a book...but better.
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Dec 05, 2007
Dora
marked it as to-read
From 2007 recommended books.
Aug 28, 2007
Natalya
marked it as to-read
Dec 19, 2007
Megan
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2008
peg
marked it as to-read
Feb 26, 2008
Amy
marked it as to-read
Feb 26, 2008
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Aug 05, 2008
Summer
marked it as on-hold
Dec 04, 2008
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Apr 19, 2009
Paula
marked it as to-read
