A Musical Interlude and the Science Fiction Novel - Douglas Coupland

It's a lovely Sunday and I think that once I finish this post I'm going to do a bit of yard work. I was only going to do my Sci-Fi novel thread but when I took the dogs out for their lunch time walk, I noticed a new book in my little free library and I am interested in that author. As well, I did my weekend shop and while I was driving to the bakery, three songs popped up on my USB and, while in respect to genres of music they don't necessarily jive together, they flowed so nicely one into the other, I'm going to provide a musical interlude as well. Of course I will also continue with my Sci-Fi thread. This will be a short one as I'm not totally sure where to classify this author. You judge. So let's start with my new book.

Oh yes. One of the moderators in one of my Goodreads' book groups let us know that she has tested positive for the coronavirus. She says the conditions are mild but she is in hospital. I think she currently resides in Singapore. My heart goes out to her and to everyone affected by this virus. I also wish good health and strength to everyone that is working so hard to keep us safe and fed and working in hospitals and as first responders. I know I'm leaving people out in this but just stay safe everyone, please.

New Book

1. Cemetery Road by Greg Iles (2019). I've read one of Iles' books, Natchez Burning. This is his latest book.

"Marshall McEwan is one of the most successful journalists in Washington, D.C. But as he sees more and more acclaim in print and on television, Marshall discovers that his father is terminally ill, and he must go back to his childhood home—a place he vowed he would never return.

Bienville, Mississippi, is no longer the city Marshall remembers. His family’s 150-year-old newspaper is failing, and Jet, the love of his youth, has married into the family of Max Matheson, one of a dozen powerful patriarchs who rule the town through the exclusive Bienville Poker Club. To Marshall’s surprise, the Poker Club has offered economic salvation to this community, in the form of a billion-dollar Chinese paper mill. But on the verge of the deal’s consummation, two deaths rock Bienville to its core, threatening far more than the city’s future.

Joining forces with his former lover, Marshall begins digging for the truth. But he and Jet soon discover that the soil of Mississippi is a minefield where explosive secrets can be far more destructive than injustice."

Musical Interlude
For pretty well every Friday in 2020 I've been providing a musical 3-pack on my Facebook page. Here is a Sunday one for you. They made my drive out today for some groceries much more enjoyable.

1. Leftwing : Kody - I Feel Like It.

2. Tiffany - Radio Romance.

3. Bronski Beat - It Ain't Necessarily So.

I hope you enjoy the selections. Now on to my final topic.

The Science Fiction Novel - Douglas Coupland

Douglas Coupland

Douglas Coupland is a Canadian author born at CFB Baden - Sollingen, West Germany in 1961. As a side note that was one of 3 Canadian Air Bases in West Germany when my father was stationed in Germany from 1967 - 1971. We were at the other two, although 4 Wing was just down the road. Since 1991 he has published thirteen novels, two collections of short stories and seven non-fiction books. The novel that I have read, Player One, was constructed from a series of lectures he gave at Massey Hall in 2010. I have to say it was a fascinating novel. I'll provide the synopsis and my review and if you get a chance to read it let me know what genre it fits in for you.

1. Player One: What Is To Become of Us - A Novel in Five Hours (2010).

Synopsis: "International bestselling author Douglas Coupland delivers a real-time, five-hour story set in an airport cocktail lounge during a global disaster. Five disparate people are trapped inside: Karen, a single mother waiting for her online date; Rick, the down-on-his-luck airport lounge bartender; Luke, a pastor on the run; Rachel, a cool Hitchcock blonde incapable of true human contact; and finally a mysterious voice known as Player One. Slowly, each reveals the truth about themselves while the world as they know it comes to an end.

In the tradition of Kurt Vonnegut and J. G. Ballard, Coupland explores the modern crises of time, human identity, society, religion, and the afterlife. The book asks as many questions as it answers, and readers will leave the story with no doubt that we are in a new phase of existence as a species — and that there is no turning back."

My Review (there is repetition from the synopses, my apologies). "The synopsis of this book compares the style to Kurt Vonnegut and J.G. Ballard. I can see that somewhat, especially JG Ballard, especially the situation. However, I find the characters more sympathetic and easy to relate to than those in the Ballard books I've read up to now. I also can compare the story and feeling somewhat to Emily St Mandel's Station Eleven, without the scope of her story. 

In Player One, you have basically 4 people, Rick, Karen, Rachel and Luke and also the narrator, a computer game voice of Player One, all trapped in an airport cocktail lounge by a world-wide crisis. This crisis involves the sudden drastic increase in the price of oil and a series of explosions, etc. The four are in the cocktail lounge for various reasons; Rick as the bartender, Karen, having just flown in to meet an internet companion to see if they can strike up a relationship, Rachel, trying to meet a man to make her feel human and Luke, a parish priest on the run. Player One is the unseen voice, elaborating on the events of the previous hour and expounding on what will happen in the next. 

The story is set over 5 hours and in each hour, the four humans and Player One tell what they are thinking and what is occurring. It's an interesting concept and each person is well-crafted for such a short timeframe and the story is engrossing and draws you in. I could easily have given this a 5-star rating, but I think a solid 4 is fair. I enjoyed this story very much and found myself being drawn back to it to see how it would all resolve. Excellent and surprisingly good. (4 stars)"

So there you go. Enjoy your Sunday and remember stay safe.