Title: Generation A
Author: Douglas Coupland
Publisher: Random House Canada
Publication Date: September 2009
ISBN: 9780307357724
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Synopsis:
Generation A is set in the near future in a world where bees are extinct, until five unconnected people all around the world— in the United States, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka—are all stung. Their shared experience unites them in ways they never could have imagined.
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****DNF****
Generation A wasn’t a book I set out to find intentionally. I happened upon it in my local Little Free Library when I was dropping books off on my daily walk through the neighbourhood with my dog. Beneath a golden weather vane, within the blue walls, and behind the foggy glass-panned door, someone had left this book for me to find. Set in the near future, in a world plagued by wide-spread drug use, the world has lost its bees and with it the weather patterns, agriculture, and general way of life that preceded that moment. When 5 unsuspecting people are stung by bees that until that moment hadn’t been seen in a number of years, suddenly things are set in motion. Governments step up to begin intense testing and analysis and wide-spread fame befalls the 5 sting victims. In what is described as a satirical look at our potential not-so-distant future, Coupland imagines just one potential outcome to befall human society.
This intro, a quick peek through the pages, and a Goodreads investigation—all signs pointed to me loving this book. So what a lunch bag letdown that I couldn’t even make it through. This book is plagued by shallow characters, dull settings, a very detached narration, and a whole lack of personality. I reached the two thirds mark and decided to call it quits. It took me well over two weeks to reach this point, and I’m over it. I’m sure there are many that enjoy Coupland writing style and turn of phrase. I, however, am not one of these people.
I won’t drone on with a bad review. I’m sure you get the gist. This book just wasn’t for me, as much as I wanted it to be. Perhaps that’s what made the disappointment so great. Shirked hopes and unfulfilled expectations. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I always love to hear what you may or may not have enjoyed about this book.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 