Who Took My Donut
Company: A Novel by Max Barry provides a quick fast-paced exploration into the world of corporations. The novel follows the story of Jones, a recent grad who is seeking his first job in the corporate ranks. He quickly climbs the corporate ladder to achieve success as a…actually there is no ladder and no company called Zephyr. Barry provides a dark look at how all of those management books actually get written and why sometimes a lab rat is just happy getting some cheese.
Generally speaking, this book had me laughing. I know that’s not the usual way to start a review, but that simple fact kept me going. Most books tend to think too highly of themselves (of course we call those books literature). Company is the summer read that gives you some chuckles, some mystery, and even some social commentary. I actually bought this for my wife for Mother’s Day, but she has yet to finish it. (I also got her other books which she is determined to now finish before company) She read a few pages and began giggling. Now my wife has one of those infectious giggles that makes you go, “I now have to find out what is making her giggle.” (For instance she giggles when people get hit in the head with balls on MXC) So once she stopped reading for the night, I thought I would pick up the book and read a chapter or two to see what the fuss was all about.
Three hours later I had completely finished the book. That to me is the greatest characteristic of a summer read. This is just one of those books that pushes the reader towards the end while being paced just right. I think what makes this book interesting is that it really does have some interesting twists and turns at just the right times to keep everything moving. Jones, our main character, has enough punk attitude and the everyman in him to pull you into his world, granted at times he is not very likeable. But by the end he is redeemed (which by the way is always kind of an off putting moment for me). The comedy draws you in while the darkness keeps you going.
The novel leads you from the beginning of Jones’ first day through his discovery of the function of his company, Zephyr. The book could have easily just been a look at office life, but Barry realizes that has already been done. Instead we are posed the question, exactly how do all those management books develop their corporate tactics? What happens when smokers are relegated to a paddock? What happens when there is one less donut? Each a serious question to a cubicle warrior. Company answers those questions by giving the reader an inside look at what happens when lab experiments happen to good people. Zephyr truly is a rat race.Company is a great novel to just enjoy. I’m not sure it will ever be more than a fun read because the material itself will tend to be dated as time goes on. I also find that the summer read pacing, although great for a summer read, is too fast to really keep the reader remembering every detail. But the dark comedy really makes this one a great way to reflect on the efforts of the corporate drone. If you are a corporate drone, just don’t watch The Matrix after reading this book or you may be scarred for life.