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Okay, so I finished it this morning.

Andy, who, incidentally has a brother named Tyler, which made me go back and look at Shampoo Planet again, because that book was about a guy named Tyler, and both Tylers sort of resembled each other, but for those of you who were wondering, they don’t appear to be the /same/ Tyler, is a twentysomething guy living his life in a California desert. He and his friends, Claire and Dag lead directionless lives that make the reader lean towards jealous.

Just like Tobias was intrigued by Claire’s secret knowledge, I found myself feeling inadequate - like I had missed out on some party-based, meaningful twenties experience. I was envious of the friendship that the three main characters shared, of the fact that they didn’t seem to have money problems, and if they did, they didn’t care about them. I was envious of the storytelling that went on, of the fact that all three of them were intelligent enough to play. Really, how many of your friends would be capable of such conversation? Maybe I need a friend upgrade or something.

And then I realized why I can’t stand most of Coupland’s books. In past reviews, I wrote that I wasn’t comfortable with the “modern” tone of his stories. I’ve zeroed in on it even more - I don’t like the presumptuousness of the language. Coupland doesn’t seem to have any respect for history, for the past. His characters are all about paving a new way, about thinking that they are so much better than their parents.

It’s unfair of me to judge the author about his opinion of the past. I’m merely trying to explain what I don’t like about his books. I do have to say this, though: Even though I haven’t yet been satisfied by a Coupland book, I continue to read them. I’m drawn to them the way people are drawn to the scene of an accident. His language is great. His stories are original. I have never been able to figure out where any of his books were going to end. As an author you could say he’s done his job - even though I don’t love his books, I’m reading them all. Like a lifetime movie, except without the predictability. “All Families Are Psychotic” is next.