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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
A novel in journal that reflects on working in tech in the mid-90s. There's a bunch of foreshadowing on the IT world, which I found relatable. There's also a theme of human interaction, and what friendshipnat work can mean.
I was sort of expecting a big reveal, twist or final shift in the book, but didn't get one. Or I missed it. It just merrily goes along and ends up in a place that feels just like another stopping point that's good as any other. Which might be the point, but didn't relieve the tension in the story arc.
I was sort of expecting a big reveal, twist or final shift in the book, but didn't get one. Or I missed it. It just merrily goes along and ends up in a place that feels just like another stopping point that's good as any other. Which might be the point, but didn't relieve the tension in the story arc.
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I actually really loved this book way back when I read it but apparently, I loved it SO much I couldn't think what to say about it. Now I hardly remember enough details about it to say much - should probably read it again.
Meh. I expected something clever and fun, but instead found this to be rather dull, only occasionally rising to mildly amusing. The characters have scant depth, and while they experience growth throughout the story, I never became fully invested in any of their journeys. All of the fancy bells and whistles that Coupland incorporates within his story format disguise the simple fact that there is very little of interest that occurs in the book. Much of the material is painfully dated, although a small portion of themes do at least feel somewhat relevant today and one could argue that the novel serves as a time capsule of technology in the mid-90s. Perhaps I need more of a background in this field to fully appreciate this book's content, but I thought it was a letdown given its cult status.
Reading Microserfs for the first time right now is a strange feeling. Parts of it are so distinctly 90s dot-com culture that I feel like I'm watching people through a time warp. It's as if I had gone into a time machine and emerged 20 years in the past.
But despite the progress we've made in technology, the ups and downs of Microsoft and Apple, and the age of the internet, some things never really do change. One of these things are geeks. The characters in Microserfs are multi-dimensional, introspective, and most of all, anyone who's worked in the tech industry will recognize their archetypes. The Ethan character reminded me so much of someone I used to work with that I wondered if it really was based on him.
Coupland is good at bringing humor to a lot of strange situations that arise in the tech world, but what surprised me about this book was that it wasn't just a complete comedy. Most of the book is an accurate portrayal of culture of Silicon Valley during the 90s, but it goes much deeper than that. There are heartfelt discussions about what it means to relate to another person and what it means to be human.
I had a few problems with the last quarter of the book, but most of it is just personal preference. The Bar-Code/Michael thing resolved itself too nicely. If the situation had happened in the real world, I think the 40 year old man in diapers scenario would be more likely.
It's hard to fit this book into a specific category. It's a humorous book about the tech culture, but what I think it ultimately is is a coming-of-age story of a group of geeky friends. I'm going to recommend this to all my programmer friends.
But despite the progress we've made in technology, the ups and downs of Microsoft and Apple, and the age of the internet, some things never really do change. One of these things are geeks. The characters in Microserfs are multi-dimensional, introspective, and most of all, anyone who's worked in the tech industry will recognize their archetypes. The Ethan character reminded me so much of someone I used to work with that I wondered if it really was based on him.
Coupland is good at bringing humor to a lot of strange situations that arise in the tech world, but what surprised me about this book was that it wasn't just a complete comedy. Most of the book is an accurate portrayal of culture of Silicon Valley during the 90s, but it goes much deeper than that. There are heartfelt discussions about what it means to relate to another person and what it means to be human.
I had a few problems with the last quarter of the book, but most of it is just personal preference. The Bar-Code/Michael thing resolved itself too nicely. If the situation had happened in the real world, I think the 40 year old man in diapers scenario would be more likely.
It's hard to fit this book into a specific category. It's a humorous book about the tech culture, but what I think it ultimately is is a coming-of-age story of a group of geeky friends. I'm going to recommend this to all my programmer friends.
medium-paced
I'm a mess. I didn't expect this book to effect me the way it did but I can't stop the tears. This book. Douglas Coupland is a genius and I'm at a loss for words. I found myself in this book, I see myself and my friends in this book, just trying to figure out the world and who we are and this book assured me that it may not happen now but one day I will figure out who I am and to stop letting the world tell me who I am and what I'm supposed to do. Read this book.
This is one of the more hilarious, fast-paced, witty books I've ever read, yet it managed to be thought-provoking, moving, and provocative at the same time. I've never read a fiction which was this dedicated to detail and relevant humor. It frankly puts most of the comedy with which I'm familiar to shame. Some of the themes toward the end got too edgy for my comfort, but it nevertheless it a priceless commentary on 90s geek culture. If you are a geek, know a geek, or just want a funny and easy, but (somehow) deepish read, you ought to read this.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes