This Could Hurt

Comparisons of this book to the amazing Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris are just beyond ridiculous. Ferris' book was hauntingly brilliant, with its unique first person plural narrative itself a commentary on corporate America. It's on my top 10 list of favorite books ever. This Could Hurt has its moments and wasn't unenjoyable, but it does not belong in the same category as Then We Came to the End. End of story.

This Could Hurt is a fairly engaging drama, and I was caught up in the story of the individual members of the HR department, even if they weren't particularly likable. The commentary wasn't subtle and with the exception of the history of the infamously long-delayed Engagement Report, it wasn't particularly biting or notable. The relationships that develop among Rosa, Kenny, Leo, Rob and Lucy drive the plot more than the corporate issues, and by the time the final organizational charts were presented I was invested in their success (or lack thereof). I did feel that the book was slightly sexist and anti-feminist; the men are always, uh, having sexual reactions to the women, while the women are pretty much living proof that you can have career success or you can have a family - but you can't have both.

Not a bad workplace novel, but please spare me the comparisons to one of the best books of the past 20 years. It doesn't do This Could Hurt any favors. Just enjoy it for the drama and the relationship dynamics.