Rent: Then We Came to the End: A Novel

"Then We Came To The End" does not deserve nearly a 3-star rating. Few of the characters were real, and in my mind, it wasn't nearly as funny as some reviews have claimed. I worked for years in an Ad agency in Chicago and it didn't capture the esprit at all - pretty much a downer. I had to work hard to finish it.

The beginning of this novel is much like starting a new job. You think: Who are these people? Why are they so paranoid? Why are they so neurotic? But slowly, slowly you get sucked into the insanity. For really, what is work without the insanity? Then We Came to the End is engrossing the same way that workplace gossip is an addiction.

This novel focuses on a Chicago advertising firm that is consistently laying people off in an attempt to keep itself afloat. The timeline jumps back and forth which may be confusing to some, but is reminiscent of how you learn about your co-workers: one story about what they’ll do this weekend, one story about a project from a year ago. This keeps the book populated despite the layoffs that are occurring, but also brings us into the fold. We are learning about these people, these teammates the same way that we would if we were working with them. They are interesting and once we’ve become part of it we can’t help but want to know more.

There is a heart breaking middle section to the book that is extremely well written, but seems to come out of nowhere. It is a completely different pace than the rest of the book and focuses on one particular person’s issues rather than the groups. At the end of the book this section is tied back in, but it still does not seem to entirely fit with the rest of the writing.

In the end, both section of this book are engaging and touching, although in vastly different ways. This book is worth reading for anyone who has ever worked in an office and thought they knew everything about those around them, until they find out they know everything but what matters.

- Kristin
Diverxtrme

Joshua Ferris has written an incredible debut novel. It's not just because of the of the use of the "first person We" though the way he uses it gives the book such a unique wonderful tone. And it's not just because I think he actually managed to keep track of what happened to Tom Motta's chair. It's not just because he's the closest to Joseph Heller (Catch 22) that I've read since Heller. It's all of the reason's this book is great and getting the love and attention. And there are probably a lot more. But I don't have time to list them all so do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book.

My only fear for Ferris is this: Can his second book live up to this? Honestly, this might be like "Pulp Fiction" or "The Sixth Sense" or "Catch 22" where Ferris peaks early. Because he's written one tough act to follow. Either way, I'll be excited to watch his career and when book 2 comes along consider it pre-ordered.

Forget a large-scale plot to fuel this anecdote-driven novel. But that's just fine. Ferris is capturing a group of highly educated, highly talented cosmopolitans who have been led to believe in the boundless nature of the American Dream and in their own extraordinary powers. Alas, if that were only true. As we see the novel unfold, the office workers in an ad agency must face their vulnerabilities professionally and personally and Ferris gives us comically absurd, at the same time, sad heart-crushing anecdotes, one after another, to create a portrait of privileged subculture that must face their limitations. Sad and funny, Ferris' novel does not force humor with cheap jokes. Rather the novel gives us painfully funny office drama, just as absurd as you might see in the film Office Space. But because Ferris' characters are more complex than the comedy film, his novel has more power.

For me, this was not a novel to gulp down in a few sittings. Rather, it was a novel to sip slowly so that I could savor each anecdote on its own.

Good reviews and rated among the top books of the year I found this to be a dull, turgid book that I could not finish. This despite my habit of completing almost every book that I start. There is humor, deadpan of a sort, but so repetitive and without meaning that one just doesn't engage or care about the characters. It bears some resemblance to the Dilbert cartoons but too much is just too much. I suppose it might bring some relief to those who toil in cubicles but I just found it without any real value.

Eh.... An O.K., moderately original and entertaining book, but a New York Times Top Ten? Huh? Tolstoy it ain't.

This is definitely a very well-written book. Having said that, however,I must confess to thinking that the plot (what there was of it) was pretty thin, seemingly simply a series of incidents in the timeline of an ad agency in Chicago. There's not much character development, so you really don't get to feel any empathy for any of the people in the book. What keeps you reading is the way the book is written and, to be honest, to discover how the whole thing ends! And then..... when you come to the end, there's just nothing there!

Couldn't finish the book. Thought it was very boring.

The book wasn't bad, but I spent most of it forgetting who was who. Most of the characters seemed to always be at the periphery of the story instead of who it was about. The best part was Lynn's story within the story. It was well written and touching. I would have liked to read more of what she was going through.

I work in an office full of cubicles, and while we have our characters/hi-jinks/gossip/etc. none of it is as over the top as within this book. I did chuckle and nod my head at a lot of the office antics, but I don't feel it was an adequate portrayal of office life.

Very enjoyable.