Advertising creatives creating creative copy. That pretty
much summarizes the work of the copywriters and graphic
designers at a Chicago company with offices on the 59, 60
and 61st floors of a building overlooking Lake Michigan. As
the company fails to attract new business, employees are
slowly laid off to keep things afloat. Although everyone
needs to look busy to keep their job secure, no one seems
to have any work to do, until Lynn assigns a pro-bono
campaign for a breast cancer fundraiser.
As usual, Jim asks all the wrong questions, Joe tries to
mediate, Tom makes an inappropriate joke and Janice looks
like she's about to cry. Chris is trying to get his job
back, Carl is doubtful and Benny wishes he could tell
Marcia how he feels about her. Larry just wants to know if
Amber is going to go through with the abortion or if he'll
have to tell his wife about their affair. Such is life in
this office, most days.
When the assignment changes without warning and their boss
seems to be hiding some big news, the group scrambles for
more billable hours and inspiring ideas to garner attention
for their work. Most of all, people just want to know
what's going on. The truth changes fluidly and continually
as more recent rumors are revealed. The future is
uncertain, and although no one is doing truly satisfying
work, no one wants to be the next forced to leave, either.
Each person spends their day resenting every other person
around them for not being fired yet and fearing that they
themselves will be the next to go, all the while
entertaining each other with the gossipy intricacies of
daily life in their corporate office. Less than friends,
but more than a family to each other, the employees at this
advertising agency are reaching the end of the proverbial
rope...AND THEN WE CAME TO THE END.
Joshua Ferris has captured the desperation and
bitter irony of the corporate office in his unique modern
voice. He took a narrative risk by telling this complex
story from the viewpoint of the entire office, but his
character-driven writing successfully captures the reader
and includes them in each situation. If you like the
concept of the television show "The Office," but sometimes
wish it was more serious and insightful, this book is the
answer. It's a must-read for anyone who's ever despised,
adored, envied or loathed their coworkers on a daily basis.
You may not identify with the characters, but you will
surely empathize with their experiences. This hilarious,
dark and deeply revealing book is the most relevant fiction
I've read about the modern workspace and the human
condition. Unlike a day at the office, and despite the
finality of the title, I didn't want this moving story to
end.
This wickedly funny, big-hearted novel about life in the
office signals the arrival of a gloriously talented new
writer. The characters in THEN WE CAME TO THE END cope with
a business downturn in the time-honored way: through
gossip, secret romance, elaborate pranks, and increasingly
frequent coffee breaks. By day they compete for the best
office furniture left behind and try to make sense of the
mysterious pro-bono ad campaign that is their only
remaining "work."
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy