Book Review: J-Pod

Late review but at least better than none

J-pod is quite an engrossing read, yet.. unique to the point it goes goes to a random tangent sometimes. The book is about the 'daily' life of Ethan, a J-podder, part of a group of computer game designers in a bigger games company (I dont recall the name of company now). Ethan as well as 5 other J-podders lead out their daily lives told in this Douglas Coupland book. Sounds boring right? Well, actually it does until until you get to see the antics Ethan and the crew get into, like trying to saboutage an adventure game by creating a 'fictional' violent and crazy Ronald McDonald character into the game, or Ethan trying to cover up his mom's 'accidental' murder, or even trying to feed ans shelter chinese immigrant in his flat. This book is fun, though out of the ordinary. Maybe the inclusion of anime/game references in the book made me enjoy it a bit more, stuff like Metroid, Chrono Trigger, Manhunt etc are mentioned.

J-pod is unique thoguh because of how the book is laid out, generally theres something different going on in the text, from the likes of including many many pages of pi up to 100,000 digits, or random quotes from random stuff.. they break the flow of the book and though its generally not a readable extra, its certainly different. Padding out the pages of the book? Likely, but didn't need to be done in most cases.

J-pod is a good read until the 3rd chapter.. or about to hit the chapter, this was when it dipped. Ethan went to China to find a friend, but it felt pointless and, again, out of the blue, and felt really forced and pointless in my experience. By Chapter 3, I can see Douglas trying to finish the book as quick as possible, with pointless banter, lack of story and also more self-references. (Yes, Douglas happens to occur in different parts in Ethan's life for some reason)
And with that, it really spoilt the illusion that i liked about J-pod, however, J-pod randomness and unqiue feel ot it will attract some followers.

8/10
Grade: B+