Douglas CouplandMicroserfsMonika says:
MICROSERFS is the story of a group of young people that is quite common for our days. It all begins with a well known software company in Redmond whose name the author didn't even bother to change. The incredible has happened: a programer made a mistake and is flamed by Bill Himself, a truely exceptional event. Microsoft is a tough employer. It is well known that the people who work there have no private life because their entire lives revolve around their work. The own apartment is just a place to sleep. Because most of the day is spent at the office employees put a personal touch to their offices. Douglas Coupland tells his story as the diary of Dan, one of the group. Dan writes about his friends, his family, his daily life and his thoughts and feelings. Everybody knows that they can't live the Microsoft way for a longer period of time, so they strive to follow their model and have their own company. They don't lack business ideas and enthusiasm for a step towards an uncertain future. The reader watches them grow up and shares their smaller and bigger troubles and worries. This is no tell-all novel about never-ending intrigues. But who is part of the information society and remembers how he or she thought and felt at age 23 can identify with the characters. Thus the book is interesting not only for readers of the age group described in the book. Douglas Coupland's unique style takes some getting used to, but is very original and compelling even if you don't enjoy stories written in the first person. MICROSERFS may not be a literary masterpiece, but is an accurate description of the world of todays twentysomethings. No book for people who aren't interested in computers and are suspicious of the "Global Village" called internet. |
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Copyright 1998 Christina Gross & Monika Hübner |
