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janedoelish's review against another edition
2.0
This novel has aged horribly, and felt like an anachronism even when I first read it in 1999.
isnotnull's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
peggyd's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.0
I guess all these years I thought Gen X as a label came from a nonfiction book by Coupland, but NOPE, it's from his novel. I had no idea. It's a series of vignettes revolving around a trio of friends--Andy, Dag, and Clare--who, post-graduation, are a bit aimless and disenchanted with the world they've inherited and are searching for meaning. It definitely captures something about that late 80s-early 90s time that was all inertia and lots of postmodern pontificating. Some of this really resonates with my Gen X heart.
But as a novel it never really came together for me; the characters felt like representations of an aspect of Gen X more that fully realized characters I should care about. And the ending...whaaaat?!?
So this was...fine? It's apparent that the film Reality Bites was loosely based on this b/c it definitely has those vibes. Glad I read it but I don't think I'll retain that much in the end.
But as a novel it never really came together for me; the characters felt like representations of an aspect of Gen X more that fully realized characters I should care about. And the ending...whaaaat?!?
So this was...fine? It's apparent that the film Reality Bites was loosely based on this b/c it definitely has those vibes. Glad I read it but I don't think I'll retain that much in the end.
miocyon's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Supposed the book that defined my generation... or not... I didn't really relate to the character, as they were older than I was when I defined myself generationally. The lack of a through story was less than ideal, but there were a few turns of phrase that I really loved. And the SoCal connection was fun to read. It's short, but not exactly fast paced, because the lack of a story made it hard to keep reading. Glad I read it, but also not really.
kayymwil's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
diana_eveline's review against another edition
4.0
"Now-Denial : To tell oneself that the only time worth living is in the past and that the only time that may ever be interesting again is the future."
Three friends in their early thirties have decided not to "indulge" in the construct society presses on them and live the alternative life : away from the yuppies and the privileged. They share their views on life with each other through telling all kinds of stories with one common theme ; the desperation of a generation with a set-back that they can't ever make up for.
Quite different from your average novel but it rather suits the subject. The ironic terms used to bring the stories closer to the reader were pretty hilarious and painfully true, at times. An enjoyable read!
Three friends in their early thirties have decided not to "indulge" in the construct society presses on them and live the alternative life : away from the yuppies and the privileged. They share their views on life with each other through telling all kinds of stories with one common theme ; the desperation of a generation with a set-back that they can't ever make up for.
Quite different from your average novel but it rather suits the subject. The ironic terms used to bring the stories closer to the reader were pretty hilarious and painfully true, at times. An enjoyable read!