Souvenir of Canada

Souvenir of Canada

May 30

I have no clear gauge of Douglas Coupland’s notariety outside of Canada – I mean, he wrote Generation X, so I’m guessing someone out there must know him. But to us, particularly on the West Coast, he’s just Douglas. Nice guy, a bit strange, writes good books.

A few years back he wrote a book called Souvenir of Canada, in which he attempted to outline things that are particularly Canadian, and shoot down a few things that non-Canadians think are Canadian, but actually aren’t. I have it – it’s a really nice book. Then he followed up with a second volume, suggesting the potential for a series. Again, great book. And ultimately, they turned into exactly what he wanted – something Canadians can give to their pals before they get on the plane and go back from whence they came.

And I’m saying all this, because the made a movie out of the books, and they just opened. I have no idea if they’ll ever make it to the US or anywhere else, but if you have the chance, check it out. And if you don’t, buy the book. In fact, buy the book anyhow. It’s great, eh?

PS – The trailers are stupid. Ignore the first part and just watch the montage at the end.

PPS – In Generation X, Coupland outlines the CostCo shopping list for a funky, late 90s style, high-tech company. He based that list on the CostCo shopping list of Radical Entertainment, a Vancouver video game development house. Coupland had a high school pal that worked there as a producer. I worked there as a grunt, which is how I know this. JPod, his latest novel is, apparently, specifically about a Vancouver video game company. I am, for obvious reasons, curious to read it.

WikiWikiWhack: Douglas Coupland, JPoD.