Reviews

Generation X. Ιστορίες για μια έκρυθμη κουλτούρα by Douglas Coupland

dee9401's review against another edition

5.0

It's rare for me to reread a book. Excluding different translations of the Odyssey and reading several Camus books in both English and French, I've probably only reread about 4 or 5 books in my entire life. Even if I love a book, and it's so a part of me, I won't reread it. I might glance at it or flip through to a beloved section, but that's it.

Not so with Generation X. I read this when it came out and at some time in the late 90s, probably preparing for a move, I donated the book to our local library. Now, starting off as a writer, I remember how much I loved the book and how I thought it was something written in my voice. I wanted to reread it. I bought a used copy from an independent bookstore and just finished the book last night. It was as fun and insightful this time as it was the first.

I loved the flow, the unique way of telling stories within stories, the pop culture and larger cultural changes going on around the three main characters.

Now, I am GenX myself and I could feel the emotions of all the characters, especially Andrew and even to some extent, Tobias. If you're a Gen X yourself or you're intrigued by this time and space in America, please (re)read this book.

helen_daly's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

craigkocur's review against another edition

challenging funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

aleksandersamuel's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

feeohnaemily's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

stijndm's review against another edition

3.0

It was an okay book I guess. I had trouble relating to the characters, which most likely has something to do with me being from a different generation and the direction I chose for my own life. It is however very recognizable Coupland, but definitely not my favorite.

booksnpunks's review against another edition

2.0

I didn't dislike this but don't think it lives up to any of the Gen X works I've already read. Structurally it's all over the place, following Andy and his two friends who are so disaffected by their generational era that they sit around sharing stories with each other. There's not really anything that moves this book forward because it's cut up by all the disconnected 'tales' that they swap so it's absolutely useless to try and get to know the characters during the first half. It picked up as it began to get to the end, but that's just it. It ended as soon as it was starting to get some sort of rhythm going.

I've heard this novel is pretty hit and miss anyway, and I genuinely appreciate what this book has brought to blank fiction and generation X. It had all the relevant themes of disillusionment, consumerism, yuppie culture and detachment seen in other novels of the decade, but the prose and execution just wasn't there for me. I liked the images and little definitions of gen X colloquialisms though, they were super fun.

Side note: I really don't understand why people compare this book to [b:The Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398034300s/5107.jpg|3036731]. Just because it's a book about youth isolated from their parents' generation doesn't make it akin to JD Salinger. The 1980s equivalent to Catcher is without a doubt [b:Bright Lights, Big City|86147|Bright Lights, Big City|Jay McInerney|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399647015s/86147.jpg|144128], and I will lay my life down on that. [b:Less Than Zero|9915|Less Than Zero|Bret Easton Ellis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443060100s/9915.jpg|1146200], yea, I really get the comparisons but less so. Generation X? No.

mmwhee's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

lisalikesdogs's review against another edition

3.0

I feel like all of Douglas Coupland's books are similar in that they all follow characters as they attempt to find some direction or make sense of life. And then they just kind of end with no resolve. I liked this one, though it didn't all flow together as nicely as some of his others.

motions1ckn3ss's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes