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ehmannky's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A fun satirical look at capitalism and Corporate Culture(TM), with an emphasis on just how dehumanizing it is to be so far away from the actual products of what you do in an environment that thinks of you and treats you as an obstacle to profits instead of a person to care for. Like all Barry books, this takes a wild and weird turn, and I actually really, really loved the last 50 pages or so when a lot of the characters become actual characters instead of Corporate Archetypes. Not the best Barry book, but it's a quick read and not a bad way to spend a few days.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
apocalyptic's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarz's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nickdouglas's review against another edition
3.0
Fantastic fun buildup with a disappointing ending that didn't even match up to the one I'd anticipated. Still, the first half was a blast.
neko_cam's review against another edition
4.0
Let me get this out of the way: I loved ‘Company’. I think that everyone in the corporate world should read it, and that they would find it not only immensely relatable and entertaining, but also incredibly insightful; it is obvious that Max Barry writes from his own personal experiences.
I’ve recently landed a graduate position at a rather large company myself, and figured that this was as good a time as any to finally get around to reading ‘Company’, after having vowed to do so years ago once I finished (and loved) Max Barry’s ‘Jennifer Government’. I have a feeling that there will be a number of times in the near future when I will encounter something in the corporate world that reminds me of this novel, and that instead of having my mind shattered by the absurdity of the situation, I will simply chuckle to myself understandingly and get on with things.
Speaking of which, there were several times when I laughed aloud at the ridiculous-though-believable events and situations presented in ‘Company’. I know that legitimately funny humor can be very difficult to achieve in a book, but it exists in these pages. Other times I found the writing so insightful that I couldn’t help but note the paragraphs and passages in question for later recitation to those who I thought could appreciate it.
After how much I’ve enjoyed both ‘Company’ and ‘Jennifer Government’, I will MOST DEFINITELY be hunting down Max Barry’s other novel, ‘Syrup’, as soon as possible.
I’ve recently landed a graduate position at a rather large company myself, and figured that this was as good a time as any to finally get around to reading ‘Company’, after having vowed to do so years ago once I finished (and loved) Max Barry’s ‘Jennifer Government’. I have a feeling that there will be a number of times in the near future when I will encounter something in the corporate world that reminds me of this novel, and that instead of having my mind shattered by the absurdity of the situation, I will simply chuckle to myself understandingly and get on with things.
Speaking of which, there were several times when I laughed aloud at the ridiculous-though-believable events and situations presented in ‘Company’. I know that legitimately funny humor can be very difficult to achieve in a book, but it exists in these pages. Other times I found the writing so insightful that I couldn’t help but note the paragraphs and passages in question for later recitation to those who I thought could appreciate it.
After how much I’ve enjoyed both ‘Company’ and ‘Jennifer Government’, I will MOST DEFINITELY be hunting down Max Barry’s other novel, ‘Syrup’, as soon as possible.
analea_lucille's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beaupedia's review against another edition
3.0
This one never quite took off for me. It wasn't as funny as I'd need it to be to put up with the absurdity of it all.
lizjane's review against another edition
2.0
This book is okay, but it's no "[b:Jennifer Government|5297|The Picture of Dorian Gray|Oscar Wilde|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1204865529s/5297.jpg|1858012]!"
thecolorplaid_'s review
4.0
Barry's imagination is wonderful in this novel, as was expected. I have enjoyed his writing about 'real world' scenarios -- especially when you can only fear this is what we may be coming to. Company makes light of the worker bee and takes a different look at needing meaning in our work. How far can people be pushed if they think their career and everything they have worked for is on the line? I was disappointed in the ending, but the overall book held my attention and left me wanting more.