Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3232 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

The Times
Very funny, intense and exhilarating ... For the first time in fiction, it has truly captured the way we work

Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday
It's a long time since I've read a novel so painfully funny, or so absurdly true

Sunday Times
Outstanding ... incisive, urgent, funny and snappily written ... The comedy debut of the year

Customer Reviews

Time to start judging a book by its cover
To start this book was recommended by Richard and Judy, obviously they never read it or are completely void of any ability to judge a good book. Next, the book from the cover seems to tell the reader that this is a comedy, however once you start reading it and get into the plot you find yourself looking for a comedy and wondering when it will start. The book lacks any comedy and will more likely depress you than give you a laugh. From the blurb you also think the writer wanted to write a deep meaningful book about the ins and outs of office life and how it affects people, but from reading it you find that it is a bunch of idiots with borderline personality disorders. I would avoid this book at all costs as it is not in anyway a good book but you can be the judge as everyone has different tastes.

A Marvelous Read, but for a VERY Specific Audience
I can understand the mixed reviews of this book, though I loved every page of it and wished it would never end. To appreciate it, you not only need to have worked in an office, you need to have worked in this KIND of office.

I happened to work in two offices where everyone had their noses in everyone else's business, where people had conniptions over nonsense such as where their "legitimate" chair is located, and whether or not the axe will fall anytime soon. That it is set in the Spring and Summer just prior to 9/11 is no accident; the economy was already starting to tank and 9/11 only made things worse for those teetering on the brink. In this office, people are being fired right and left, but the remaining folks are more worried about the health situation of their boss and the private lives of their co-workers. Who has a crush on whom? Who is a complete whackjob? This is office life, folks, at least in my old office.

This book is so full of quotable lines and great twists that there isn't much I can say without giving it away. People who have worked in my situation will likely love it. People who haven't, or who don't enjoy programs such as The Office because they hit too close to home, will not like it at all.

Joshua Ferris is an excellent writer and this is a stunning debut. I'm very much looking forward to what comes next.

Gave up - not funny or interesting
Like the person before - I seldom give up on a book, but this just felt like a waste of my life. Couldn't fnd the humour or any real plot. Maybe it came good in the end - but I doubt it