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Quote by Joshua Ferris

“I always knew from the beginning that this was the only way to write Then We Came To The End - that it had to be in first - person plural if it was going to illustrate how the individual becomes part of the collective. I had no interest in writing the book in a more conventional voice. It goes back to that fascination I had with telling a story in multiple ways. It was the only choice I gave myself, really - I said "This is it, pal. If you can't tell a story this way, you're going to have to abandon the book. Write it this way or give up."”

Author

Joshua Ferris

Joshua Ferris is an American author born on November 8, 1974. His works are celebrated for their unique narrative style and profound insights into modern life. more

“Sometimes you have to make decisions that necessarily exclude the collective. It's more difficult to be a friend - even though they know each other and they treat each other like friends, it's more of a challenge for them. It's just institutional fact; the two characters that are the most aloof are the ones who have the most responsibility.”

Sometimes Character Difficult Challenges Decision Responsibility Aloof

Author:Joshua Ferris

“If someone were plucked from the group and given those responsibilities, they might find themselves growing more aloof, just by virtue of that promotion. Suddenly the group culture excludes you. I saw this in my own working life, and I don't think it's a coincidence - I sensed a kind of loneliness in middle managers especially.”

Thinking Kind Culture Responsibility Virtue Loneliness Coincidence Promotion Aloof

Author:Joshua Ferris

“The people at the very top could fall by and grace you with their presence and give you a little largesse, and you'd be "Oh, I'm so beloved." In a way, it was kind of like flattery. The middle managers didn't quite have that cachet, but at the same time, they had to seem like they were of that caliber. So there's a little bit of loneliness at the heart of those with a little bit of power.”

People Giving Heart Kind Fall Grace Loneliness Beloved Flattery

Author:Joshua Ferris

“I think one of the ways you avoid being angry is to avoid being angry at the people in power. They might do crappy things, and piss you off, and make bad decisions, but they shouldn't be hated simply because they're in power. And I thought it was important to humanize them if the book was going to be even-handed to all the different ways you encounter people at work.”

People Thinking Important Book Different Decision Hated Bad Decision

Author:Joshua Ferris