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lisamchuk's review against another edition
3.0
Written in letter/diary format, it's slightly depressing as per Coupland style, but also warm and funny.
kayymwil's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
marissadeijns's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
blamy's review against another edition
3.0
It kind of reads like a Chuck Palahniuk book but without being gross.
bibliyogi's review
dark
funny
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
3.25
hallbrooke's review against another edition
3.0
Being a fan of Eleanor Rigby and Girlfriend in a Coma, I was slightly disappointed that this wasn't as good however as per Coupland's other works it was still pretty fantastic.
It made me laugh and I loved Glove Pond but it was definitely a lot harder to get into than other's I've read. Still, sticking at it proved to be rewarding and I enjoyed it in the end.
It made me laugh and I loved Glove Pond but it was definitely a lot harder to get into than other's I've read. Still, sticking at it proved to be rewarding and I enjoyed it in the end.
ngeunit1's review against another edition
4.0
The Gum Thief is if nothing else different. The style and pace of the novel is a bit wonky and offbeat, and that is what keeps it interesting. The strongest section of the book is when the main characters are communicating via notes back and forth. It serves as a great narrative for the story and feels fresh and introspective. The main characters are not overly inventive or strong, but the actually storytelling method makes the story very interesting.
There is also the featured story within a story going on. This again provides a slightly more cryptic, but still interesting look at the main character's life. There also some oddball side characters that weave in and out of the story that provides some interesting moments. Overall, a fun and fairly light read.
There is also the featured story within a story going on. This again provides a slightly more cryptic, but still interesting look at the main character's life. There also some oddball side characters that weave in and out of the story that provides some interesting moments. Overall, a fun and fairly light read.
daniellersalaz's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Douglas Coupland’s books. The world he portrays is recognizable, but slightly off-kilter, like when the colors on printed packaging don’t quite line up and instead of purple, you get red on one side with blue spilling over on the other. This book didn’t disappoint. I’m glad I revisited him, and look forward to reading other more recent books of his!
hoserlauren's review against another edition
1.0
I really enjoy Douglas Coupland. I've read many of his novels with Microserfs at the top of my list, followed by Girlfriend in a Coma and All Families are Psychotic. I like the weird characters and even weirder situations they get in to.
This time, I just wasn't having it. I could only make it about 35 pages through this book before getting so annoyed I had to toss it. The characters are beyond ridiculous this time and it wreaks of trying too hard.
I'm disappointed. And sad that I couldn't finish a Coupland novel.
This time, I just wasn't having it. I could only make it about 35 pages through this book before getting so annoyed I had to toss it. The characters are beyond ridiculous this time and it wreaks of trying too hard.
I'm disappointed. And sad that I couldn't finish a Coupland novel.
bengresik's review against another edition
3.0
I originally picked up this book on impulse while I was killing time before work. I wasn't really expecting much, just another Douglas Coupland novel filled with dry humor and Generation X references about. When I began to read though, I became entrapped in the stories of the two main characters, Roger and Bethany, as they conferred their wisdom upon each other about their lives through the exchange of a journal.
I'm sure there are some people who would get tired of Coupland's apparent obsession with writing books about people whose lives come apart in every way at a moments notice, but there's something refreshing about reading a novel where the characters don't have it all together and that's ok. That's the thing that I enjoyed most about reading this book, and the thing I enjoy most about Coupland in general.
On an somewhat unrelated note, after reading this book I began to exchange a journal with a friend in a manner simmilar to this book and found it to be a very interesting experience.
I'm sure there are some people who would get tired of Coupland's apparent obsession with writing books about people whose lives come apart in every way at a moments notice, but there's something refreshing about reading a novel where the characters don't have it all together and that's ok. That's the thing that I enjoyed most about reading this book, and the thing I enjoy most about Coupland in general.
On an somewhat unrelated note, after reading this book I began to exchange a journal with a friend in a manner simmilar to this book and found it to be a very interesting experience.