What is to Become of Us?

The latest from Douglas Coupland, PlayerOne: What is to Become of Us? is yet another reason to praise the snappy, poignant unique style that has come to identify the author. His short sentenced, internal-monologue type narratives lend themselves too quick reads that rely not on the events of the plot, but on each character's perception, interpretation and introspective comments.

Player One is a modern day novel that focuses on the commentary of 5 individuals all stuck in an airport lounge for 5 hours during a sudden and riotous Natural Oil crisis. Each character is given their chance to explain and reflect on the occurring events in a unique manner, focusing primarily on issues of faith, death, life and the 'after' that so often punctuate Coupland's work.

"For a brief moment she thinks of the pizza-sized black circles cartoon characters throw onto the ground – portable holes – which they jump into to escape difficult situations. In her mind, that’s where people go when they die: down Daffy Duck’s hole."

Each character has their unique take on faith, the meaning of living, and the weight of sin and death. It is this analysis, or this series of events which facilitate the analysis, that provides the meat of the story. With each new conversation and event the characters re-evaluate their perceptions of North American culture, their own values, and try and make sense of their purpose in life - or, indeed, whether or not they have them. From the scientifically and socially ‘abnormal’ yet beautiful Rachel who’s various brain anomalies prevent her from recognizing metaphors, faces, laughter or social norms, to the recovering alcoholic bartender Rick, Pastor turn thief Luke, witty single mom Karen, and the charismatic yet creepy ‘Monster’, the lot of them, a so-called “depressing grab bag of pop culture influences and cancelled emotions” contradict, compliment and question each other’s views of their world and the place they have in it.

Regardless of your religious, spiritual or scientific understandings of the world, PlayerOne makes you stop and think. Question things. See new perspectives. This, ultimately, is the signature of Coupland. He questions life and its functions, and therefore poses something new and interesting for the reader to ingest, digest, and do with what they will.

And though the subject matter may sound sort of heavy, the subtle humour, punchy style and short time frame of the novel keep it relatively light and easy reading, so that the reader does not get bogged down with concepts of Eternity, Sin and Justice, and the very concept of life as a story.
A well balanced, smart novel, easily enjoyable but just about any audience willing to approach with an open mind.
“Most big moments in life and death are quick – those key moments that define us probably fill less than three minutes altogether.”