The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland ***1/2

Douglas Coupland contines to produce manuscripts that fascinates, captivates, confuses and illuminates. The raw material for this absolutely entertaining novel includes Roger, a 43 year old, divorced, alcoholic; Bethany, a 20 year old gothically dressed school drop-out and a Staples, a business supply store. Multiple stories are intwined with remarkably gifted clarity.

Bethany accidently discovers that Roger is writing a mock diary pretending to be her. Rather than getting angry she sends him a note suggesting that they secretly exchange their writings. These writings become the soul of the novel. Coupland has an almost indescribable style of writing that is filled with ironic and satiric humor in the most bizarre contexts.

Roger is composing a manuscript for a novel and Bethany encourages him to share it with her. The characters in his novel also become characters within the book. In addition, Roger's ex wife and Bethany's mother make cameo appearances that punctuate the essence of message. The adhesive concept of all the characters is the notion of overcoming death, tragedy and adversity. Humor prevents the stories from ever becoming bleak. The final resolution testifies to the value of friendship even when the friendship is between two totally uneven characters. With the strength of one another adversity can be overcome but never permanently. There is both tragedy and joy on tomorrow's menu.