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Rating: Summary: Like most souvenirs - neat but often misplaced. Review: I read this book in two sittings. The photograph compositions where clever and did evoke familiarity - good and bad - about Canadian images and icons. Coupland's ramblings though, are insights that I believe all Canadians feel or have felt at least once in their lives. Ironically I think this book would have the greatest resonance with non-Canadians, although judging by the few American reviews posted, this suggestion may prove to be a stretch.
Rating: Summary: My opinion of this book is biased by my love of Canadians... Review: I was fortunate to found this book a couple of years ago when I was in Vancouver,BC, and I was nothing but thrilled to see 1) a new Coupland book, 2) a book about Canada, and 3) a picture book for adults. And since I've had it I have found myself reading it several times.Coupland fans who didn't like the "non-fiction journal" style of "Polaroids from the Dead" will probably not enjoy this book. But Coupland fans who vist his website for art as well as literature, or try to make gallery shows when Coupland's work is being displayed, will absolutely cherish this book. Coupland spends anywhere form a couple of paragraphs to a couple pages talking about Canadaian facets like Cigs, Hockey, the Maple Leaf, Poutine, and the Trans Canadian Highway. This is a must have for die hard Coupland fans, Canadians, US citizens who have spent any amount of time near the border, and everyone else in the know.
Rating: Summary: Clearly Canadian (though we're not alike!) Review: This collection of imagery and musings from Famous Canadian Writer Douglas Coupland didn't always strike a chord with me. I'm from a different part of the country, with different history and experiences, of course.
Yet enough was oddly, eerily familiar to convince me that there are few young writers better qualified to comment on the State of Our Nation than Coupland. Not as enjoyable as his fiction, but something fun to tide us fans over while we wait!
Rating: Summary: An Americanadian reflects.... Review: This is a wonderful, passionate, heartfelt rumination. Not as hilarious as Coupland usually is--it just means too much to him. Nostalgic beyond his years, he wants to capture all that Canada has been in his lifetime: that Canada which is rapidly tofu-ing and beige-ing in the face of globalization. I'm a dual citizen (b. in USA, but lived 8 years in Toronto) and have very strong allegiances to the Truth North. If you're Canadian, Doug will probably unravel some of the subtle, mysterious essence of your own "Canadian-ness," to you. If you're an American, read very carefully and you'll get some amazing clues. Doug does define in relation to the USA more than a wee bit, but as Trudeau once said: "No matter how you try, you can't ignore it if you're sleeping next to an elephant. Every time it moves even a tiny bit, you feel it."
Rating: Summary: Fun and truthful Review: This little book about the subtle and not so subtle differences between Canada and it's favourite neighbour to the south will tickle any loyal Canuck's funny bone. Coupland's highly constructed photographs of Canadian cultural artefacts will delight as childhood items such as table hockey, Honey Bee corn syrup and clear bottles of white vinegar are recognized as simply, 'unidentifiable by an American'. The alphabetical listings and descriptions of Coupland's Canadiana are brilliant. The only thing missing from this book is an acknowledgement that perhaps persons from outside the North American continent may be interested in the book (let alone Canada!), thus these items may also be unidentifiable or perhaps just plain ordinary to the rest of the world ...
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