I’ve read a number of Douglas Coupland’s novels, and must say that to date, have never been disappointed.  I don’t know if it’s his style, his delivery or just the subject matter that keeps me turning the pages.  He is a very powerful writer, in that he can so completely encapsulate a time and place.

jPod is no different.  This time around, he writes about a group of 20 somethings working at a game development company, having to deal with their lives, their pasts, their careers and the fact that their boss has decided he wants a turtle in their new skateboarding game (among other bizarre plot twists).

A large part of what makes a Coupland novel so unique is that he takes his characters quite seriously.  Though they may be the most off-the wall types, you can’t help but believe these people actually exist… and you can’t wait to hear what will come out of their mouths next.

Bree was showing someone photos of her recent holiday visiting Korean animation sweathshops. She was bummed because she couldn’t get into North Korea: too much legal juju. [She said] ‘I just wanted to know what it’s like to be in a society with no technology except for three dial telephones and a TV camera they won from Fidel Castro in a game of rock paper scissors.’

I’ve just unpacked my copy of jPod, which I’d not yet finished prior to the move, and am looking forward to rediscovering it over the course of this weekend.

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