Review: Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland
This was my second book by Douglas Coupland (the first being Hey Nostradamus!) and he’s well on the way to being a favourite author.
One of the things I’ve already learned about his writing, is that the story he telling you, isn’t necessarily the one you think you are reading. It’s only when you’ve finished the book (and sometimes even later than that) can you see the bigger story. I’m not saying he relies on tricks and twists – although you do get them – but they are so well constructed, understanding can only come with the last page.
This one is no different. The book opens Jared a ghost, and a friend of the main characters who a year previously died of leukemia. Soon after, we meet Karen, the titular girlfriend and her boyfriend Richard. in December 1979 they have sex for the first-time, before moving on to a party, where Karen collapses and falls into a coma. A coma she spends the next 17 years in.
What happens next? Well that would be telling! And it’s really best that you discover everything for yourself. But we can talk about the books themes – just not how we explore them! 
. Losing two close friends in such close succession, affect the friends for the most of the next two decades. Drifting into alienation, incapable of connecting in any meaningful way with the world and those around them.
While I don’t think it gels quite as well as it could do, but that might be more to do with me leaving the book at work over Christmas, therefore splitting my reading of it. I can’t say enough about just how good the prose is, brilliant imagery, and profound language fill the pages.
Hamilton and I were the ones without goals. “Imagine you’re a forty-year-old, Richard,” Hamilton said to me around this time, while working as a salesman at a Radio Shack in Lynn Valley, “and suddenly somebody comes up to you saying, ‘Hi, I’d like you to meet Kevin. Kevin is eighteen and will be making all of your career decisions for you.’ I’d be flipped out. Wouldn’t you? But that’s what life is all about – some eighteen-year-old kid making your big decisions for you that stick for a lifetime.” He shuddered.
At what point in our lives do we stop blurring? When do we become crisp individuals? What must we do in order to end these fuzzy identities – to clarify just who it is we really are?
If you’re not spending every waking moment of your life radically rethinking the nature of the world – if you’re not plotting every moment boiling the carcass of the old order – then you’re wasting your day.
On my experiences with this one and Hey Nostradamus! I can’t wait to read my next one. Fortunately, I don’t have to wait too long, as I am doing a buddy read/review with Kailana at the end of the month, when we are reading, All Families are Psychotic.
Other Reviews to Consider
One last thing, once you’ve read the book, it’s well worth your time flipping back the start and reading the chapter titles in order. Doesn’t really make a sentence or anything, but it’s quite powerful in it’s own way.
Buy: Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland from The Book Depository.
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I have this on my shelves! Along with at least one other as-yet-unread Coupland book, and I have no idea what I’m waiting for. Your review’s making me want to read this one straight away.
Jenny´s last blog ..The Group, Mary McCarthy
This has been on mount tbr for years, you’ve pushed me to move it up near the top.
katrina´s last blog ..The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Yay!
This is one of my favourite books by him, so I am glad you enjoyed it!
Still ready for, All Families… in a couple of weeks time?
I read this one a while back and quite enjoyed it. I remember being surprised by the ending, and I agree with your comment that “It’s only when you’ve finished the book that can you see the bigger story”.
My brother-in-law is a huge Coupland fan and was raving about Generation A over the holidays, if you’re looking for another good one.
Jody´s last blog ..Friday Freebie: Jennifer Scales
Oh, yes Generation A is on the eventual wishlist (at least when it comes out in paperback)
Hmmm….I haven’t actually read any Coupland. I started Generation X twice, but couldn’t get into it either way. Not sure if it was because of the weird format, or what. This just reminds me of The Smiths. So I’d probably like it!!!
Guess I will have to give it a try!
stephanie´s last blog ..Another 2009 Review: Monster by A. Lee Martinez
There’s apparently loads of Smiths references woven in to the prose!
I would argue that this one IS very different. I wish I’d liked it, but meh
Ah well, I still love everything else he’s written.
Nymeth´s last blog ..Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Well, I’ve still got loads of his stuff to go, so we’ll see where it scores once I’ve read a little more.
I haven’t read anything by this author yet but he’s on my 2010 list. I’ve read amnay good reviews of several books he’s written, including this review of yours. I’m intrigued by what you’ve regarding Coupland’s writing.
Thanks for a great review!
Amy´s last blog ..Brief Hello!
I don’t know why I put off reading him for so long, had some misconceptions I suppose, he really is a good writer though!
Between Nymeth and Jenny and now you, I am really feeling like I’m slacking off on this never-having-read-Coupland thing. I think I’m stalling mostly due to new-author indecision… where to start?
Fyrefly´s last blog ..Brian K. Vaughan – Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned
Well I started with Hey Nostradamus! and ended up mooching every book I could find, so maybe there is a good place!
“the story he telling you, isn’t necessarily the one you think you are reading”
That is such an awesome line, it has a very Coupland-ish feel to it. Glad to hear you enjoyed Girlfriend In A Coma.
thanks!