Douglas Coupland has his finger on the pulse of the 2020s. He knows us--with and without our clothes on.
2021
251 pages
The book is aptly titled Binge because that's precisely what you'll want to do with this collection. Like chips, you won't be able to stop reading after devouring one story. And as the stories are all under ten pages in length, you'll easily be able to indulge your desire. However, you may want to slow down to meditate upon what you just read. There is much food for thought.
The stories are written in the first person and feature a diverse cast of characters--male, female; gay, straight; abled, disabled; children, adults. Some stories are paired--Coupland examines the same story from two unusual, always entertaining angles.
Binge is at times humourous, always provocative. It's a must-read.
Favourite quotes...
'and it dawned on me that most people are totally lost inside their own lives, and that I'd better be getting on with mine really quick, before it was all over.' (p. 41)
'Not everyone wants to be who they're supposed to be 100 percent of the time. Everyone has hidden selves just waiting to pop out. It's who we are.' (p. 22)
'if our lives aren't stories, what are they? Glorified microbes on a petri dish?' (p. 250)
September on this Blog...
Thursday, September 8
Sunday, September 11
Books by Leanne Dyck (short story)
"Dyslexics don't like books. They're reluctant readers," they say.
Hmm, well... Not all of us. I've always loved stories. This story explains how much.
Sunday, September 18
An Old Man On A Small Island by Leanne Dyck (short story)
What do people do for fun on my remote island home? You may wonder.
This short story answers that question.
Sunday, September 25
Book Review: The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan by Salma Hussain (middle grade novel)
This book opened my Western eyes to life in another country.
A story...
Launching a Poetry Book
"I'm pleased to read to you from my collection of love poems."
Setting her notes down to pick up her book, she scans the audience. Her facial transformation is immediate--like a rain cloud covering the sun. "Get out! I'm serious. You're not welcome here."
All eyes search for...for... There's a tall man standing at the back of the room.
Venom drips from her lips. "Get out!"
She holds the book like...like... Will she throw her book at him?
The man opens the door and is gone.
Written on July 11 at approximately noon. It flew out of my pen in a steady stream.
