Then We Came to the End: A Novel

Joshua Ferris
Back Bay Books (2008)
ISBN 9780316016391
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (3/08)


“Then We Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris is a hilarious novel about a subject that is so day-to-day: life in the office.  Most of us spend eight hours a day at work, behind a desk, or in a cubicle.  Someone may ask, “Why would you choose to read about this subject when you do find those few precious hours to pick up a book?”  Even though most people would not want to admit it, I think we all have some voyeuristic tendencies to find out if other offices, even fictional ones, operate the same way ours does.  It’s obvious in the cult status of the movie “The Office Space” and the wild popularity of the TV show “The Office.”  We all want reassurance that these many hours spent away from our families is worth something besides a paycheck. 

In this book you find all the juicy bits of an office; the office romance, the boss’ mysterious illness, the crazed ex-employee, the threat of lay-offs, the meetings after the meetings, and so much more.  Benny, Marcia, Tom, Amber, Larry, Jim, Joe, Lynn.  You know them all too well.   “Then We Came to the End” is a sociological study in the subculture of the office. 

Ferris writes with a unique style.  He writes in first person plural from the point of view of “we” and “us,” immediately drawing the reader in as a member of the group.  You are in on all the pranks and scared you will be fired or “walked Spanish down the hall,” as he put it, any minute.  You get caught up in the dramas and inter-office emails along with the rest of the characters.  There are so many great lines and scenarios in this book.  Too many to share, and it is like you had to be there anyway to really get it. 

“Then We Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris is the best book I have read in a long time.  It is a National Book Award Finalist and amazing first novel that is going to be hard for Joshua Ferris to top. Plus, he goes above and beyond with a website to accompany the book.  I read the last line of “Then We Came to the End” with a big grin on my face and even said out loud “I love this book!”  When was the last time a book made you say that?


Reviewed by Catherine Phelps for Reader Views (5/07)


Joshua Ferris, who resides in Brooklyn, received his BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Iowa and an MFA from the University of California, Irvine. His writings have appeared in the Iowa Review, best New American Voices 2005 and Prairie Schooner.

Mr. Ferris attempts to write a comic, lighthearted overview of an office’s daily nuances and micro-world. Perhaps due to the current economic times in Michigan, I found this book down-heartening as opposed to comic. From a woman who is expecting the birth of a child, to older workers losing their employment, “Then We Came to the End” chronicles the personal and professional challenges, strengths and weaknesses in this office setting.

At best, many employees of an office are described in a dry humor manner as they report to work at an office that is rapidly losing business contracts. One by one, each employee is asked to take “The walk” down the hall. The reaction to a permanent layoff and the reason why is graphically described. Also, a glimpse into each character’s personal life is shown.

The reader can relate to having known a character such as Karen, who always has an answer and something new to tell others. She is disliked for this reason. You will meet Marcia who found her co-workers all irritating and would report her feelings to their supervisor and others. Many characters are introduced with a variety of talents, personality traits and gifts.

This book is geared towards the professional manager. Someone with work experience in this position will relate to the daily frustrations they find with unproductive employees and the feeling of ending their employment. This reader will be more comfortable in relating to being the individual who must watch their employee take the “walk down the hall” while keeping their employment. Further, the style of comedy and wording of this story is geared towards the advanced reader.

When a group of individuals join together in their place of employment, you will find a variety of personalities, likes, dislikes and mannerisms. How these differences combine and work together to complete a project is often amazing. The feelings of an individual who loses their employment and the effect it has on the team can be profound. At times such as these, personal expressions of regret and compassion are displayed towards a previously disliked fellow employee. “Then We Came to the End” describes such a group of writers/editors and their fears and reasons for their eventual dismissal from their job duties.

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