Going away for a few days and not having internet access I wanted a good book that would keep me entertained - and boy, did I pick the right one! Coupland's jPod has been sat on my shelves for almost three years awaiting the chance to be read and now I wish I'd got there sooner.

In essence this book is about everything and nothing all at once. I wouldn't say that there was a plot to it, it's much more a series of interwoven and recurring events that gradually subvert the characters that he establishes while developing them into the people you always hoped (but never expected) that they might be.

Style wise jPod very much reminded me of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash in that Coupland obviously knows his geek culture and writes with his audience in mind. His nods to pop culture, use of recurring plot devices and gradual build towards the eventual climax made me laugh at both the absurdity and the truthfulness of the situation. He has managed to weave a narrative that simultaneously pulls you in while hoodwinking you and misdirecting you so you have no idea where you're going.

To conclude; I now understand why this book is prefaced by 5 pages of positive reviews. It deserves them.