Rating:  Summary: His worst to date. Review: Douglas Coupland's writing has gone consistently downhill since _Generation X_. This is the absolute nadir of his career. I've never written a review of anything, nor a fan letter to any artist. However, this novel was so bad, I felt I could not hold back. Nothing awaits you save disappointment if you buy this book. I can't help but think that the *ONLY* point (and I mean, the ONLY point!) to this novel is to see if Douglas Coupland can quote the title of as many Smiths songs as possible in one go. By the time I got halfway through the book, I was so bored, that that was what I was doing - counting Smiths song titles. And even THAT was poorly done - Karen, the 'Girlfriend in a Coma', wakes up quoting Smiths songs released during her coma. Richard, the narrator, quotes songs that weren't even RELEASED at the time he quoted them. Poor, poor, poor. Spend the money on something more entertaining, like an ab-roller.
Rating:  Summary: Great questions Review: The brightest quality of this book in the depth and the importance of the questions that it makes. But, it doesn't give the answers that the reader needs. Nevertheless the book is very good and the references to the pop music songs spreaded between the events of the story make the book very agreeable. (please excuse my english)
Rating:  Summary: Commits the worst of literary crimes... Wasting its promise. Review: GIAC is a book that you should not read. It wastes your precious time when you should be preaching on the purpose of existance. Or so Coupland would have us believe.The first hundred pages or so are at times exciting, mysterious and above all filled with potential. What happens to a clique stuck in a hick yank town with nothing to do? Of course, they do nothing. Who needs plot, pace or invention when you can have boredom, apathy and rot? Not Coupland anyway. Trash the book, and go out and do something with your life. That, after all, is the novel's predictable message.
Rating:  Summary: Ho hum. Review: I finished the book about two weeks ago, and whenever I think much about my experience of reading it, I like the book less and less. What was the point? What was Coupland trying to say? Not to spoil too much, but was it that shallow people will need a kick in their collective butts from some kind of supernatural force before they are able to do anything productive with their lives? I dunno, the ending left me cold; I can see that Coupland was reaching to make a big statement, but it just made me laugh. (At the book, not with it). This is not to say that the rest of the book isn't mainly a fun, rippin' yarn. His style and the plot is honestly quite enjoyable for most of the novel, but the reader gets strung along, following Coupland's hints that there will be a big payoff at the end. Which never comes, by the way. Also, it suffers from the biggest problem I have with Coupland's work in general: NOT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD IS A VAIN YUPPIE. Try writing about something else for a change, Doug, it's getting boring.
Rating:  Summary: What Do You See? Review: This title shouldn't get five stars really. I should probably give it about a three. But when DC soars, he goes where no one else can reach. The first 28 pages are stunning, smooth, critical and aware. And then time begins to seep in and it gets weaker and weaker until Karen re-emerges after 17 years. Then it soars again until it becomes obvious that the re-awakening doesn't necessarily spawn an altogether better world. I don't think the world needs to end in this book. As in all of DC's works, the protagonists need to get away to get perspective. In his other books they drop out. In this one, the world drops out, and to be frank, you don't really miss it. I agree with the person below who said you'll like it if you've read other DC books. DON'T make this the first. When you've absorbed some of the others move onto this and appreciate that while he's not great at telling a story, he doesn't need to be. He always gets it just right. Which is why he gets the high five. For atmosphere, you have to listen to REM 'Up' while your read this.
Rating:  Summary: This book really hits home. Review: This truly is a must-read. Sounds cliche, but the book really takes hold of your spirit while you are reading it. It was the book that I have been searching out for many years as it discusses human existence and the endless possibilities, many never reached, many burnt out too quickly. GIAC makes you realize its okay to feel lost every once in a while. In fact, its almost preferred, so long as you do not stop questioning what you are supposed to be doing. This book will not lift your spirits, but it will expand them. I have read other Coupland works and have always enjoyed them, mostly on a humorous level. GIAC takes on a different dimension and can be appreciated by all.
Rating:  Summary: It has its moments but could be better Review: Fans of Douglas Couplands work will like this book. If this is the first Coupland book you have read, you may not want to read any of the others, which would be a pity. His earlier works are well worth the read. I found it difficult to maintain interest throughout the book, and after putting it down, was in no hurry to pick it up again. I can't really describe how I felt about the book. It wasn't boredom, but the interest and enthusiasm just wasn't there, not for me anyway. IMO, he peaked with Microserfs, but that was two books ago. Lets hope the slide doesn't continue.
Rating:  Summary: hard to swallow, but a really good book Review: A little confusing, seeing as the beginning is told by a ghost and the world ends about halfway through the book. Almost Ray Bradbury-esque, I think. But still, a really good book. People should definitly read this if they like Douglas Coupland.
Rating:  Summary: good but not his best Review: I've read all of Coupland's books, and I am sorry to say that this is not his best work. As most of the readers point out, the begining was great, told the story of what happens when a loved one falls into a coma, but as the story neared the end, I was a little discouraged that he would end the story like this. I felt that the flow of the story differs a little from the other books he has written. But this might be recommended if you liked "Life After God".
Rating:  Summary: Great beginning...hate the ending Review: I was utterly fascinated by this book - until the last section. It starts out as almost a realistic sci-fi book, but then what??? After sleep, comes boredom?
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