Microserfs
Ratings42
Average rating4.1
Microserfs is an epistolary novel by Douglas Coupland. It first appeared in short story form as the cover article for the January 1994 issue of Wired magazine and was subsequently expanded to full novel length. Set in the early 1990s, it captures the state of the technology industry before Windows 95, and anticipates the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s.
The novel is presented in the form of diary entries maintained on a PowerBook by the narrator, Daniel. Because of this, as well as its formatting and usage of emoticons, this novel is similar to what emerged a decade later as the blog format.
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About a group of geeks working in Silicon Valley in the 90's. I remember reading an excerpt in Wired Magazine back when it was first released (18 years ago?!) and thinking the writing was amazing. My older self wasn't quite so blown away, but it's definitely an entertaining read, with the usual strong Coupland characterisation and dialogue.
I have read this book at least half a dozen times and I keep going back. I think this is coupland's finest work. There is charm, sadness, technology and a snapshot of life at a very specific moment in time. With the exception of a notable lack of cellphones, this story could be 2013 as easily as it is 1993.
2018:
Re-read this again. There are certainly some dated references like “information superhighway” but there are certain messages that continue to resonate about tech/nerd culture and employment self-identity and finding a real life. Some of my favorite characters in all of Coupland's novels appear in this book.
