In "To Rise Again at a Decent Hour," author Joshua Ferris delves into the life of Paul O'Rourke, a dentist grappling with existential questions and the sudden disappearance of his online identity. As he navigates a web of personal disconnection and digital chaos, Paul finds himself increasingly drawn to a mysterious religious community that challenges his understanding of purpose. With sharp wit and profound insights, Ferris explores themes of faith, loneliness, and the search for meaning in an increasingly impersonal world. This novel intricately weaves humor and melancholy, making readers question their own existence in the digital age. Will Paul uncover the truth about his own life before it’s too late?
By Joshua Ferris
Published: 2014
"A man can only be judged by his actions, and how they reflect his inner life."
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, this big, brilliant, profoundly observed novel by National Book Award Finalist Joshua Ferris explores the absurdities of modern life and one man's search for meaning. Paul O'Rourke is a man made of contradictions: he loves the world, but doesn't know how to live in it. He's a Luddite addicted to his iPhone, a dentist with a nicotine habit, a rabid Red Sox fan devastated by their victories, and an atheist not quite willing to let go of God. Then someone begins to impersonate Paul online, and he watches in horror as a website, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account are created in his name. What begins as an outrageous violation of his privacy soon becomes something more soul-frightening: the possibility that the online "Paul" might be a better version of the real thing. As Paul's quest to learn why his identity has been stolen deepens, he is forced to confront his troubled past and his uncertain future in a life disturbingly split between the real and the virtual. At once laugh-out-loud funny about the absurdities of the modern world, and indelibly profound about the eternal questions of the meaning of life, love and truth, To Rise Again at a Decent Hour is a deeply moving and constantly surprising tour de force.
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“A man can only be judged by his actions, and how they reflect his inner life.”
To Rise Again at a Decent Hour
By Joshua Ferris
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Joshua Ferris is an acclaimed American author known for his influential works exploring the complexities of modern life. His debut novel, "Then We Came to the End," received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the National Book Award, showcasing his unique blend of humor and insight into the corporate world. Ferris has also penned several other notable works, including "The Unnamed" and "To Rise Again at a Decent Hour," which further solidify his reputation as a voice of contemporary fiction. His writing often delves into themes of identity, existence, and the human condition, drawing readers into richly crafted narratives. In addition to his novels, Ferris is a skilled short story writer and has contributed to various literary journals and anthologies.
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