Why do I keep reading Douglas Coupland? His books never really fail to move me and to make me think; but every time i finish one, I am Always depresse...moreWhy do I keep reading Douglas Coupland? His books never really fail to move me and to make me think; but every time i finish one, I am Always depressed. Finishing this book was no different; I've finished it and I'm sad. This can be distilled down into two parts: Jason, and Heather.
I really enjoyed Jason as a character; he had depth, he felt real, and i just wanted to hug the poor bastard. His life was one of never measuring up, and that just depresses me. He seems like a good guy, and it always sucks to see the reality that being a good person does not, in itself make for a happy life. For this i love this book.
Heathers part, on the other hand nearly ruined it for me. As soon as the psychic got involved, that whole portion jumped the shark. It took what could have been a great story about the inside of Jason's head and his desire to have someone really get him, and tarnished it. It felt aimless, manic, and utterly pointless. This whole section could be trimmed down to the first couple of pages, and be much better for it. Reg's chapter almost makes up for heathers, but not quite. Heather's whole section nearly ruined the book for me; as it stands it makes sure i will probably never read this book again.
This was a book with great aim, touching moments, and is so near perfect that it hurts to say that one character could drag it so far down. (less)
Well... That was a book. I generally love Coupland, but this book felt off. While he generally tries to feel out poignant topics to expose, to pick aw...moreWell... That was a book. I generally love Coupland, but this book felt off. While he generally tries to feel out poignant topics to expose, to pick away at, to muse upon, this book felt lost.
Maybe that was the point; to be a journey of denarration. This books feels like Coupland himself is trying to suss out the answers to questions he hasn't properly revealed to the user. He wanders almost aimlessly between stories that are barely connected.
Again, maybe that was the point, but it was frustrating for me. I was difficult to read a book by an author whom I generally look to for answers, or at the very least, an author who aligns with what i am about.
Maybe I'm just too young, and this will all make fare more sense to me in 20 years time.
Well that was kinda boring. Interesting premiss (at least the first story was) but the translation seemed janky and disjointed. I know that it doesn't...moreWell that was kinda boring. Interesting premiss (at least the first story was) but the translation seemed janky and disjointed. I know that it doesn't have to be that way as I've read other books like Battle Royale with no issue. A shame because there's real promise here, and I can see how it can be a great foundation for an interesting story to be elaborated upon.(less)
That was a thoroughly enjoyably book. It's been a while since I've really invested into the characters of a book, and this one had me almost from the...moreThat was a thoroughly enjoyably book. It's been a while since I've really invested into the characters of a book, and this one had me almost from the get go. It could be that there are some weird parallels between the family portrayed in the story and my own, or maybe it's the down to earth style of writing. I'm not honestly sure what drew me in more, but I can say that I truly enjoyed that.(less)
I actually met James and Bob a couple years ago around Covent Garden. Both of them are wonderfully brilliant characters in their own right. Back then,...moreI actually met James and Bob a couple years ago around Covent Garden. Both of them are wonderfully brilliant characters in their own right. Back then, I recall him telling me and Theresa about a book that he was putting out, but I didn't really give it much thought.
Fast-forward to a month ago, and what do I find in a bookstore but a stack of this book! I'm so happy he actually managed to get it out there for everyone to read.
This is an warming, enjoyable book that is both heart-felt as well as educational. Those of us that haven't had to live on the streets don't really get a handle on just how hard a life that is. This book not only details one mans struggle to get off his feet and out of the rough life, but also about the ginger cat that gave him that push.
It's not a difficult read, but I would highly recommend it to everyone. Brought a lot of smiles to my face during its reading.(less)
A quick, cute read. Reads like a non-fiction, though it is the opposite. Almost.
In any case, I chewed through this in 2 days and enjoyed it thoroughly...moreA quick, cute read. Reads like a non-fiction, though it is the opposite. Almost.
In any case, I chewed through this in 2 days and enjoyed it thoroughly.(less)
I have no idea how this took so long to read. It's not a long story, though a tad longer than my norm.
It's an excellent story, and takes a typical st...moreI have no idea how this took so long to read. It's not a long story, though a tad longer than my norm.
It's an excellent story, and takes a typical star-crossed lovers story, and turns it into something, well, magical. It's delightful. What works about this story is that while it's a love story, it doesn't feel like that's the only point to the book. It involves so many other people who are involved with the love story, but still maintain their own separate storylines. The stories all intertwine into a great tale.
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