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zoracious's review against another edition
2.0
I had the same problem with this book that I have with any book, piece of artwork, song, or movie that attempts to speak to and/or about my generation.
Part of the problem is the sheer weight of representation: in their attempts to wax philosophical on life and its accompanying angst, what most prominently stands out in the words of Claire, Dag and Andy is either the pretension that comes with making any grand gesture meant to stand for a collective consciousness or the disingenuous gravity that accompanies "Proclamations of the 'Truth'" (that's 'truthiness' to you Colbert fans).
Whenever I catch Juno or Empire Records or the like on television I get that same feeling - a sense of naughty delight at the winsome words coming off of the screen dampened by the realization that NO ONE REALLY TALKS LIKE THIS, and if they do, they are probably too caught up with their own words to really care to listen to anyone else's. Which is not to say that I'm a stickler for realism either, but in this book there is a clear line between the sad suck of reality and the semi-magical realism of the tales these three windbags tend to dream up, and the realism part just doesn't work.
But I'm being harsh. I have no problem with environmental and social responsibility, or a lessening of hyperconsumption in all its forms. And I admit, if I'd read this maybe 9 or 10 years ago I might've absolutely gobbled it up whole, but I find it all tiresome now. There is a lot that does ring true here, but the execution is sometimes taxing.
Maybe it is the author's intention that the characters just sound like a group of ungrateful, vacuous people taking up space, and if so then the job is done. Some parts of this genuinely made me laugh and some of the characterizations are done very well, but I have a hard time swallowing books that are filled with whining, particularly the kind of whining where there is a wink at how clever it all is to whine in such a way.
I also have a hard time with this notion that the answer is "out there," in some fading desert - a la Coehlo's The Alchemist (or, worse yet, in an underprivileged foreign country) just waiting for some 20-something lost American middle-class soul to pluck it from the ether. The act is seen here as courageous when it is really some imperialist orientalist romanticism that has more to do with avoiding answers than really finding them.
Not that I have any answers either, but still.
Part of the problem is the sheer weight of representation: in their attempts to wax philosophical on life and its accompanying angst, what most prominently stands out in the words of Claire, Dag and Andy is either the pretension that comes with making any grand gesture meant to stand for a collective consciousness or the disingenuous gravity that accompanies "Proclamations of the 'Truth'" (that's 'truthiness' to you Colbert fans).
Whenever I catch Juno or Empire Records or the like on television I get that same feeling - a sense of naughty delight at the winsome words coming off of the screen dampened by the realization that NO ONE REALLY TALKS LIKE THIS, and if they do, they are probably too caught up with their own words to really care to listen to anyone else's. Which is not to say that I'm a stickler for realism either, but in this book there is a clear line between the sad suck of reality and the semi-magical realism of the tales these three windbags tend to dream up, and the realism part just doesn't work.
But I'm being harsh. I have no problem with environmental and social responsibility, or a lessening of hyperconsumption in all its forms. And I admit, if I'd read this maybe 9 or 10 years ago I might've absolutely gobbled it up whole, but I find it all tiresome now. There is a lot that does ring true here, but the execution is sometimes taxing.
Maybe it is the author's intention that the characters just sound like a group of ungrateful, vacuous people taking up space, and if so then the job is done. Some parts of this genuinely made me laugh and some of the characterizations are done very well, but I have a hard time swallowing books that are filled with whining, particularly the kind of whining where there is a wink at how clever it all is to whine in such a way.
I also have a hard time with this notion that the answer is "out there," in some fading desert - a la Coehlo's The Alchemist (or, worse yet, in an underprivileged foreign country) just waiting for some 20-something lost American middle-class soul to pluck it from the ether. The act is seen here as courageous when it is really some imperialist orientalist romanticism that has more to do with avoiding answers than really finding them.
Not that I have any answers either, but still.
anywiebs's review against another edition
5.0
This book was such a surprise. I had wanted to read it forever, but never really knew what it was about. And although it should feel dated it doesn't. The characters and their conversations and attitudes feel still relevant and accurate today. The writing is great as well, the way Coupland creates the characters and atmosphere of each situation is just wonderful. You just get sucked into these people and feel right at home.
Just one more thing - this is not a plot driven book. Nothing much happens in terms of story. So if you can't stand that you will not have the same experience I did.
Just one more thing - this is not a plot driven book. Nothing much happens in terms of story. So if you can't stand that you will not have the same experience I did.
daytonasplendor's review against another edition
4.0
As Douglas Coupland is a fairly polarizing author, I was slightly hesitant in reading this, his, arguably, most famous work. I did enjoy the book, and I can understand why it had such mass appeal and mass unappeal (word?), and I think that equal parts of me can probably relate both to the group that maybe denounce it as a vapid, too-self-conscious semi-novel, and the group that appreciates it as a cultural touchstone in 'defining' a certain generation at a certain point in time. However, I do believe that as a generation-defining work, it tends to keep a barrier up from having those of us who are not from that generation really appreciate it from the point of view of someone like the characters in the novel and their corresponding real-life counterparts.
Of course, this is just my opinion. Feel free to love it or hate it as you will.
Of course, this is just my opinion. Feel free to love it or hate it as you will.
terppsi's review against another edition
3.0
I was afraid the book would be too dated and all the hype around the book when it was first released made me suspicious, but I actually enjoyed it. Maybe because I remember those after-yupiism times and was able to put it in context.
But more than the main plot, I enjoyed the "couplandisms" and the stories the characters tell each other.
Since some coupland fans seem to find this his weakest book, I am now quite curious about the others.
But more than the main plot, I enjoyed the "couplandisms" and the stories the characters tell each other.
Since some coupland fans seem to find this his weakest book, I am now quite curious about the others.
edboies's review against another edition
2.0
I was just figuring out what current fiction was and this helped I guess.
jwaddy17's review against another edition
1.0
I am sure this might have been more interesting and relevant oh...about 20 years ago.
As it was, I was as bored as the characters in the book.
I'll definitely try and read some of his more recent works, as I think he's timely. I was just late to the party.
As it was, I was as bored as the characters in the book.
I'll definitely try and read some of his more recent works, as I think he's timely. I was just late to the party.
demetrastavridou's review
5.0
Το βιβλίο της γενιάς μου. Το διάβασα στην ηλικία που έπρεπε και, ναι, μου άλλαξε μυαλά, τρόπο σκέψης, στάση στα πράγματα. Προσωπική υπόθεση βέβαια.
milica_3's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
joshloftin's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0