CHOICE: BOOKS

by Eric BarkerDouglas Coupland is probably the first writer to deal with the problems faced by the "twenty-something" generation of the '90s. By showing their frustrations, relationships, and unique perspective on the world, his critically acclaimed first novel Generation X offered a look at what life is like for those who are out of college but without a place in the world. He followed it up with Shampoo Planet, a more upbeat work with an optimistic ending that was less concerned with the angst of his characters. In Life After God, Coupland again tries something a little different, approaching his favorite age group from a more emotional and philosophical side. Written entirely in the first person, the book is a collection of stories presented in chapters of two or three pages. His writing is basic but colorful, using cute vignettes within the stories to express serious feelings. Each tale shows the struggles of a protagonist who feels lost in the world. Finding oneself, growing up, and dealing with a life that lacks meaning are issues Coupland approaches quite directly for a work of fiction. This is, by far, Douglas Coupland's most serious work to date. While not as rich in the social elements that separate the "twenty-somethings" from mainstream society, Life After God concerns itself with their feelings towards life. If the stories have one flaw it's that they can be depressing, but it's hard to put the book down for long because the sadness comes from things we have all felt but don't always like to deal with.