Book Review: Hey Nostradamus - Douglas Coupland

This book is told from the view of four people, all connected to and impacted by a high-school massacre: Cheryl, a 17 year old girl who was shot in the massacre, reports on her view from beyond the grave. Jason, her high school sweetheart, who turned out to be a hero on the day of the shootings, and who was secretly married to Cheryl. Heather, a girl who years after had a relationship with Jason, and has to deal with some strange circumstances that subsequently befall him. And finally Reg, Jason's dad, who is a religious zealot, and has had a fragmented relationship with all his own family, because of his extreme views.

This book is so well written, it is easy to get inside its rhythm, and that of the characters too. The themes of religion, family, life and love are explored throughout, and by covering four different perspectives, the author does not obviously impose his own views, but discusses the subject in a provocative way, one that weill inspire discussion. All the characters have appeal, despite some of their views. Because each successive viewpoint is from several years on from the previous one, it permits the author to describe how Reg's extremist religious views cause problems early on, yet gives him the chance to soften and repent his ways by the time we reach the final section.

Then there's the surprises. Coupland throws in a few completely unexpected events to keep the reader on their toes, and mix things up a bit. The author's imagination is already legendary, and here he desribes some outcomes that you just couldn't have predicted. These only enhanced the enjoyment of this book for me, which for the most part is a sensitive and human exploration of how the shootings touched and changed people's lives. But this is no nostagically sentimental eulogy. The massacre made some people very angry, with betrayed senses of loyalty, leading to shop-damaged views on what it means to live your life righteously. Yet they all have good hearts, and are all trying in their own ways to find truths for themselves.

So simple, yet so evocative. I just want one of my friends to read this book, so we can talk about it at length. For me this is Coupland's best to-date, 9/10.

You can buy this book here.