Douglas Coupland recommendations

nlgbbbblth

I read Generation X a good many years ago and loved it.

Never got round to reading anything else by Douglas Coupland and by the looks of things he's written another seven or eight books?

Which ones would you recommend?

Thanks

Blush_01

I've only ever read Microserfs, but I really enjoyed it. I have Girlfriend in a Coma on my list, but as yet haven't made any real inroads into it. I'll let you know when I've read it what I think.

simu

Gf in a coma is odd but interesting.

Dades

I kinda enjoyed Microserfs but gave up 1/3rd through Jennifer Government.
Not going to go buying any more of his soon.

simu

The Atheist wrote:

I kinda enjoyed Microserfs but gave up 1/3rd through Jennifer Government.
Not going to go buying any more of his soon.

Oi! Jennifer Govt is by Max Barry, not Douglas Coupland! I agree - it's a terrible book, the promotional on-line game was far more entertaining. But don't blame poor Dougie for that!

MrJoeSoap

I'm reading JPod at the moment and it is awesome stuff. Really liked Generation X and I have The Gum Thief next up on the "to read" list.

johnny_ultimate

Well Generation X was by far my favourite, but you've read that already.
Next recommendation would be Girlfriend In A Coma. It's wildly (often bemusingly) uneven, but its unique and poignant enough to be worth a read, even if it goes a bit mental in the last third or so.
JPod > Microserfs, IMO, mainly because it feels fresher and more contemporary.

He's an odd writer altogether, as he often damages his books with bizarre creative decisions that often backfire. But at least his books are exciting and different, and of the five or six Ive read, I have never really disliked any of them. I disliked moments, but the whole experience tends to be worth it.

MrJoeSoap

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Well Generation X was by far my favourite, but you've read that already.
Next recommendation would be Girlfriend In A Coma. It's wildly (often bemusingly) uneven, but its unique and poignant enough to be worth a read, even if it goes a bit mental in the last third or so.
JPod > Microserfs, IMO, mainly because it feels fresher and more contemporary.

He's an odd writer altogether, as he often damages his books with bizarre creative decisions that often backfire. But at least his books are exciting and different, and of the five or six Ive read, I have never really disliked any of them. I disliked moments, but the whole experience tends to be worth it.

I'm currently reading the prime numbers between 10,000 and 100,000. Can't say I've ever read that in a book before!

Ben Folds ftw btw.

monkey9

So far, my favourite at the moment is Girlfriend In A Coma. As has been said above, really odd, but interesting. It was one of those books, where, as soon as i'd finished it, i really missed it and the characters. Read the Gum Thief. Really good. Also, i've heard really good things about All Families Are Psychotic. I must admit, i'm struggling through Microserfs. It's literally about working in an office at Microsoft. I knew that beforehand, i suppose. But i don't know, it's kind of a drag. You leave work, then start reading this!!

simu

I liked Gen X and GF in a Coma but I'd advise you to avoid Miss Wyoming (I read it since this thread was started) - it's like reading a soap opera script!

stovelid

Girlfriend in a coma is my favourite. It one of the least arch - and most lyrical - of his books.

For the same reasons, I recommend Hey Nostradamus! too.

The only book that disappointed me was Jpod.

pretty*monster

Shampoo Planet and Life After God ore too of my favourites, and also, I think, closer to the style of Generation X than some of his other work.

Zaph

Just finished readin JPod and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If I was to pick two Coupland books to recommend they'd probably be Girlfriend in a Coma and Hey, Nostrodamus. Both are well written with good casts of characters.

johnny_ultimate

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Ben Folds ftw btw.

I had no idea where you got that from for a minute and then I rechecked my profile. Two years and no else had mentioned the reference to date Good work!
And I strongly agree - Folds ftw.
EDIT: Just noticed this thread is a year and a half old : lollers.

BurnsCarpenter

Hey Nostradamus is definitely my favourite. It's probably the least Couplandy book. Also really enjoyed Girlfriend in a Coma, Eleanor Rigby, Jpod.

rainglow

Gen X, Microserfs and Shampoo Planet are my favourite. I'd choose SP as my favourite if somebody held a gun to my head. I thought JPod was a little nutso, even for Coupland. Still my favourite author though

stovelid

Just finished the Gum Tree. Disappointing. I felt the same about Jpod; i'm starting to fret a little....

Setun

monkey9 wrote: »

So far, my favourite at the moment is Girlfriend In A Coma. As has been said above, really odd, but interesting. It was one of those books, where, as soon as i'd finished it, i really missed it and the characters. Read the Gum Thief. Really good. Also, i've heard really good things about All Families Are Psychotic. I must admit, i'm struggling through Microserfs. It's literally about working in an office at Microsoft. I knew that beforehand, i suppose. But i don't know, it's kind of a drag. You leave work, then start reading this!!

Microserfs is hilarious! I've read most of his books and have pretty much enjoyed them all, apart from maybe Eleanor Rigby, which went a bit mental with that airport scene. All Families are Psychotic was hilarious, and I remember reading it thinking it was quite cinematic. Whatever happened to the film?