At times humorous, at times thoughtful, and at times a surprising reflection of our own self. A string of stories, life events, and of relationships, all in the hope of finding meaning. An interesting and easy-to-read book. Not as provocative or as funny as I expected to be ... but nonetheless an enjoyable read.

a poignant, insightful look into the later years of Generation X. We are the first generation raised without religion, indeed. As a result, we have more questions to ask and more acerbic notations on life. A wonderful study of a generation.

I was turned on to Coupland in college by my English Lit professor and loved him from the start. This book is funny, thought provoking and so well written and is the one that truly started my love of Coupland.

Super unique book. For sure going to revisit this one at some point in time.

I really loved this book because I read it while going through very emotional times. It has incredible insights and saying that I'll carry with me. I think most of the book has a sad/down vibe and I probably wouldn't have liked it as much when in a good/happy mood.

One reviewer wrote: "you know when you're feeling alienated and cynical but you still want to feel like you're a part of something greater, cosmic, divine? yeah. read this book."

Couldn't have said it better myself. I read this in college, and it really struck a chord with my life and experience at the time. I've read it a couple times since, and though it doesn't fit my experience as closely now, it still makes me want to get off my butt and actually do something with my life.

I finally picked up a book! So far, I like it. It's a collection of short, fictional stories told in the point of view of a man who goes on different journeys to several kinds of places. The situations he describes are seemingly ordinary, but it's the character/author's unique ability to discern profound ideas from the mundaneness of life that I really enjoy about this book. Very similar feel to the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

I am admittedly a huge Coupland fan. I read absolutely everything he writes but I'm not blind in my devotion. He has hits and misses just like anyone. This book, however, is what started my fandom and makes me forgive his occasional misses. This book is full of short stories but where most short stories attempt to tell a small story from beginning to end these stories tell just the middle part of a much larger story. These stories leave just about -everything- to the imagination. They are just the barest slices of life. These aren't just short stories, they're tiny stories. They describe situations that just -beg- for details but then don't give them to you. Or sometimes all you get is details but not the details you want. Here's a totally made up example to illustrate the style of the book. I don't want to ruin a single story for you when you read this book. A woman holds a chipped china coffee cup on a faded formica countertop in some sun blasted diner 100 miles from anywhere. She stares into the distance, unconsciously fondling a toy car. The story would then go into some of the thoughts running through her head. Those are the kind of details it gives. What it doesn't give up is any of the big questions. Why is she here, where is she going, what happened. Most of these are left unanswered and at the same time they're also unimportant. Those aren't the interesting part of the story. The interesting part is the real true to life slices that Coupland shows us. The stories aren't always actually real. There's some with a slight sci-fi bent to them but at the same time told in the simplest and realistic way possible that I have to fight to remember that there's simply no way that some of these stories can actually happen.

I'm probably not doing this description justice so I'll put it as simply as I can. I cannot recommend this book enough.

PS as an added bonus my favorite way to read this is to read it out loud to someone. Years ago a friend was sick and I was taking care of her and I happened to have this book with me to lend to her. She was too sick to read it so I read her stories from it instead until she fell asleep. As adults we've lost the joy that was having out parents read to us at night and if you have someone special in your life I would suggest giving this a shot. "Life After God" is spectacularly suited to it but even if you don't use this book, try another.

n  Life After Godn is a deceivingly good little book in that it is a quick read yet chock full of the perennial quirkiness, hilarity, thoughtfulness, and lush poignancy that have become  Douglas Coupland's trademarks. I absolutely love that with every offering in his catalogue I am exposed to ideas I've never thought of, that challenge both the way I think and what I think of, and phrases that strike with rare novelty; this book does not disappoint in these regards. Through this group of short stories, filled with unique characters and situations, I felt like I was being immersed in many little worlds for just the right amount of time to observe, absorb and enjoy what needed to be shared, and make me think, about life (mine and theirs). I can't say I came away feeling like I'd found a link to or question about God, and I'm not sure that was the purpose, but I did marvel at how acutely Coupland was able to delve into modern age and existence and how much I could personally relate to myself. A very satisfying little bit of engagement.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Este fue un libro muy criticado, pero a mi me gustó muchísimo.

Al igual que las demás obras de Coupland (he leído casi todas), Life after God está escrito para el hombre moderno, para los tecno-religiosos, para los adoradores de imágenes, para aquellos que no pueden concebir sus vidas sin la tecnología eléctrica, y se aferra a situaciones de la vida cotidiana para reflexionar sobre la filosofía de vida de la sociedad posmoderna.

Toma los mismos recursos, ejes problemáticos y personajes a los que ya nos tiene acostumbrados (los que se pueden ver en Generación X o Planeta Shampoo) y les da una vuelta de rosca, abordando un tema nuevo y sumamente interesante.

Si te gustó alguno de los libros de Coupland, definitivamente deberías leer este también.

2007 wrote: Here Coupland follows many impressive characters through the last days of the world. It is his short prose that makes this work so appealing. A very easy read, but intensely powerful emotions are evoked. It begs to make the reader question where he or she will be when it's all done. What state physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually will one be. The characters run the gambit of possibilities and most having reflected back after death tell their stories rather calmy, for all the dread is gone, but it is remembered. A very poignant work. Gut wrentching and provacative.

Very disappointing. The combination of Douglas Coupland and a provocative title made me expect something witty and insightful. This was not. The string of loosely drawn vignettes eventually link (albeit tangentially) to a conclusion, but that conclusion isn't explored enough to be profound.