The Unnamed

The Unnamed represents the second literary work by the American writer Joshua Ferris, released in 2010.

Plot summary

Taking place in New York City, the story centers on Tim Farnsworth, a prosperous trial lawyer and partner at a law firm, who is suddenly overcome by an uncontrollable need to walk without stopping. Although he consults both medical and mental health professionals, his condition—characterized by intermittent episodes separated by months—remains a mystery. As Tim attempts to juggle his professional responsibilities and family commitments, this relentless compulsion eventually forces him to forsake both.

Reception

• Tim Adams of The Guardian describes the book as "somewhat unnerving" while commending it as "a kind of existential journey" akin to Cormac McCarthy's The Road, highlighting Ferris’s distinctive emphasis on the inevitability of biological destiny.
• Tim Martin writing for The Daily Telegraph recognizes the novel’s demanding nature due to its intense depiction of suffering but views it as a significant piece reflecting Ferris's growing literary skill.
• Jay McInerney in The New York Times criticizes the story for its slow development until near the conclusion and expresses a preference for Ferris’s earlier narrative approach.
• Robert Epstein from The Independent provides a negative assessment, implying that readers might question the value of such an extended existential examination.