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flint's review against another edition
3.0
Six word book review: “Who’s afraid of office supply superstores?”
jfranco77's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know... I didn't really enjoy this book. Maybe I just didn't "get" it. Maybe I'm too used to action books where things happen. There were some funny moments and I guess there were some thought-provoking moments about sadness and what it's like to be human. While the characters are not your typical characters, they are well-described and realistic. One of the other reviews for this book mentioned that they love when characters "ruminate." Well, that's what they do for most of this book, so if that's your thing, you'll probably enjoy it. I generally avoid going below 3 stars unless I truly despise a book or I don't enjoy it AND it's poorly written.
kelseyreadingstuff's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Douglas Coupland, where have you been all my life?
juliethomasaustin's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely my favorite recent Douglas Coupland book. I couldn't put it down!
jess_vineberg's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
miametro's review against another edition
3.0
As I get older Douglas Coupland's later work has less appeal than before.
melanie_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Working at Staples, pushing papers around, turns out modern life is full of many types of malaise and the only hope we have is to connect (once in awhile) with someone who might understand your own particular malaise.
Nothing particularly new for those interested in this particular genre, but intelligent and thought-provoking nonetheless.
Nothing particularly new for those interested in this particular genre, but intelligent and thought-provoking nonetheless.
jenkharvey's review against another edition
5.0
I always feel a sudden sadness after finishing one of Douglas Coupland's books. A sort of empty feeling knowing the end has come.
He's the only author I know who can realistically depict humanity through writing. Other authors may try, but there is just something about the way he writes it. Every one of his books, especially "The Gum Thief" is like reading the pages out of your own diary. Any of the characters can be you.
I fell in love with Bethany's character because we are the same age and I can relate with her struggle of figuring out who she is. I love the way her story developed. It is hopeful, yet so true to form.
This book is very profound, but in an everyday kind of way. It makes you think deeper about regular occurrences and thoughts you have all the time.
He's the only author I know who can realistically depict humanity through writing. Other authors may try, but there is just something about the way he writes it. Every one of his books, especially "The Gum Thief" is like reading the pages out of your own diary. Any of the characters can be you.
I fell in love with Bethany's character because we are the same age and I can relate with her struggle of figuring out who she is. I love the way her story developed. It is hopeful, yet so true to form.
This book is very profound, but in an everyday kind of way. It makes you think deeper about regular occurrences and thoughts you have all the time.
nausikaa's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed reading The Gum Thief. Coupland never fails to make me chuckle.
sjlee's review
4.0
This is the second Douglas Coupland novel that I have read, the first being jPod. I did not enjoy this book as much as jPod, but that was the funniest book that I may have ever read. The Gum Thief is written as a collection of notebook entries, letters and notes. The main characters are Roger and Bethany. Roger is a middle aged man going through a deep depression and crisis. Bethany is a twenty-something, lacking ambition or direction. The pair meet working in a Staples, an office supply big box store.
Roger's notebook is discovered by Bethany, which includes a description of her. It provokes a reaction and an exchange. The exchange is almost exclusively unidirectional. Roger never directly responds and addresses Bethany. The story is largely build out of Bethany's replies, Roger's letters and his novel Glove Pond. Significant sections of the novel are composed of excerpts of this novel within the novel. Glove Pond reflects the character and backstories of "real" characters in the story.
The humour in the story is quite good, but I must admit the misery and angst of the story troubled me. As a person caught within a moment of transition and difficulty I saw elements of myself in Roger and Bethany which was unsettling. The book was published in 2007 and feels very reflective of that and our time period. Like jPod I wonder if it will age poorly over time. At this moment it is a funny, miserable snapshot at contemporary life.
Roger's notebook is discovered by Bethany, which includes a description of her. It provokes a reaction and an exchange. The exchange is almost exclusively unidirectional. Roger never directly responds and addresses Bethany. The story is largely build out of Bethany's replies, Roger's letters and his novel Glove Pond. Significant sections of the novel are composed of excerpts of this novel within the novel. Glove Pond reflects the character and backstories of "real" characters in the story.
The humour in the story is quite good, but I must admit the misery and angst of the story troubled me. As a person caught within a moment of transition and difficulty I saw elements of myself in Roger and Bethany which was unsettling. The book was published in 2007 and feels very reflective of that and our time period. Like jPod I wonder if it will age poorly over time. At this moment it is a funny, miserable snapshot at contemporary life.