Douglas Coupland
I loved Microserfs. I'm not sure when I first read it but it was probably in the late '90s when I was starting to get more and more interested in computers. The characters were normal, had their own quirks, obsessions and flaws that made them likeable and easy to identify with. The plot was engaging and touching (if not fast paced) and you wanted the best for all the characters. Even the "pseudo-techy" formatting was enjoyable, adding something to the overall story.

So, when JPod came out in 2006 I jumped at it... Here was what was being decribed as Coupland's "Microserfs for the Google Generation".

Except it was shit. The characters were unlikeable and unbelievable and the storyline felt so unrealistic I couldn't get over it. I never managed to finish the book as I was so disappointed that it didn't match up to Microserfs. Perhaps if I hadn't had such high hopes then I might have found it less irritating. Either way, it ended up in the charity shop.

Now. Where's my copy of Microserfs?
( e.m.m.y. foxtrot uniform charlie kilo india tango, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 11:26, 4 replies)

Fucking Microserfs made me cry on the Underground.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 11:34, closed)

"Girlfriend in a coma" is also pretty good
but Coupland can be very hit and miss - his most recent stuff is sadly full of "miss".
(TheImmortalJenkins, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 12:11, closed)

Somewhat agreed
I really didn't enjoy "Player One" but thought "Generation A" was absolutely fantastic - possibly his best book to date. I also enjoyed "jPod" almost as much as "Microserfs", and agree that "Girlfriend..." is excellent.

Oh, and "Highly Inappropriate Tales for Young People" is great.
(nasalhair The Twix guy!, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 12:35, closed)

^This
I was in a lost place in my early twenties in 1999, and Microserfs spoke to me (Probably in binary). So why Coupland pissed the memory all over the show with JPod, I don't know.
(chutneyweasel, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 13:28, closed)