Company by Max Barry
(Buy it at Amazon)

(Yes another book review – I’ve been reading a bit lately)

Max Barry is one of my favourite authors. Granted I’ve only read two of his books but he’s only written three. The other one I’ve read is the terrific capitalist-world-gone-mad story of Jennifer Government which I might review if I read it again.

Company is a novel about company politics. Specifically, the friction created between us and them (senior management) and the Sisyphean task of doing work that seems to the people actually doing the work to be completely pointless. We follow Stephen Jones, a new recruit to the Zephyr Holdings. Jones is simply not satisfied with his co-workers ignorance at what the company actually does (I think the quote is “we’re a holding company – we hold things” but I can’t find it right now) and seeks more information.

That’s it for the plot. I’m not telling you anything more. I really didn’t see the next part coming. People on the train must have thought I was channelling a goldfish because my mouth was opening and closing in amazement and what happened next. Like in Jennifer Government Barry takes a concept and pushes it to the extreme, but never to the unbelieveable. This is an immensely appealing book because who hasn’t had to deal with a hierarchical and faceless management team and/or a monotonous and meaningless job at one point in their life?

Recommended.