Company : A Novel
Author: Max Barry
Amazon Info
I think this book might be described as a sardonic version of Dilbert - in novel form. But that would require truly understanding the meaning of sardonic :). Company is a very funny book and it was a pleasure to read. I found that the author established a well paced plot line, interesting characters, and a strong tension regarding who was telling the truth and how many levels were contained in the illusion. And, in keeping with the setting, there was plenty of management theory (and anti-theory).
The story is about Steve Jones who joins a company named Zephyr as a sales assistant. The book begins as Roger, one of the salespeople, discovers that someone has eaten an extra doughnut, leaving none for him. This leads to the termination of one of the salespeople, allowing Jones to be promoted. Jones, unlike all the other employees is seized by a desire to understand what Zephyr actually does. This leads to the discovery of Alpha, which is the company with Zephyr that has created Zephyr as a lab for various management practices. As Jones learns more about the company, cost-cuttings and outsourcings continue. And of course, there is the love interest, Eve - who is both the receptionist and a leader of Alpha. But, she appears to be evil (think of Jones as Adam and Eve as, well, Eve). Jones leads a rebellion which first leads to Eve obtaining the CEO role (the previous CEO of Alpha was the janitor of Zephyr), but that is quickly followed by Jones' exposure of Alpha, which leads to the mass termination of all remaining Zephyr employees. The book ends with both Eve and Jones on the lecture circuit - although on very different ends of that circuit.
Recommended for all, especially MBAs or those who work for very strange companies. Doubly recommended for those who qualify on both criteria.