planet impiazzi

Ok, been reading a lot, but couldn't be bothered taking photos, so you'll have to make do with the Amazon link instead:

Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
While this was very readable, with some astute observations on the trade-marked consumer culture of a branded generation, it was pretty lightweight. Following a few months in the life of 20 year-old Tyler Johnson in the US early 90s, Coupland attempts to portray a McGeneration, struggling to establish its place in society. But for all his clever, ironic digs at a superficial world, there really isn't enough substance to this book (like the manufactured junk food Tyler enjoys so much). There is more pretentiousness than wisdom, and the whole thing is ultimately undermined by a twee happy-ever-after ending. Maybe I missed the point.


Nymphomation by Jeff Noon
Written with a unique poetic verve that transports the reader to Noon's invented world, I found the story absolutely compelling, the characters engaging, and the language addictive. Published after Vurt, this is more of a prequel than a sequel. It also ties in with Automated Alice (but thats the only Noon novel I didn't really enjoy - in fact, I didn't even finish it) and Pollen. Noon's cyber-Manchester is convincing, each novel further reinforcing the mythical world. In this one we follow Daisy and Jaz as they delve into a domino game conspiracy that leads them deep into a virtual maze. Some of the cyber stuff is a bit beyond me really, but I don't think its necessary to be a geek to be drawn in to this, and thoroughly enjoy it.
More Noon for me please!

The Northern Green Gathering is on this coming weekend. The camp starts on Thursday 17th, and finishes on Monday morning, 21st, near Gisburn (between Skipton and Clitheroe on the A59.

We are hoping that some sunshine will join in the fun, but even if it doesn't it will be a great weekend, with bands on in the evening - Rory McLeod on Sunday! - a Camp Ball on Saturday night, a Kids Area, delicious veggie food, a Campaigns area focusing on Low Impact Living, a sauna, showers, permaculture, a Healing Area, and an Earth Spirit area - and lots more too, all powered by renewable energy and enthusiasm. Its taken a lot of hard work to organise it!

Tickets available on the gate £35 adults, £5 children 5-16, vehicles £15. Check the website for more details & travel info or phone the site office on 07729 291 353.

Is it cruel to pull the wings off sanitary towels?

The Fountain at the Centre of the World by Robert Newman
Originally uploaded by northern green pixie.

Excellent book! Newman has written an engrossing and intelligent novel following Chano Salgado, his son Daniel and his brother Evan Hatch, as they meet each other after years apart. Chano has spent his life in Mexico at the sharp end (the painfully exploited end) of global capitalism, while Evan, adopted from Mexico by an English couple as a baby, has forged a career in PR at the other end of the scale, working for multi-nationals, helping them to bulldoze their way through countries and governments. Newman eloquently describes the way that the corporate bourgeoisie dominate and manipulate anybody & anything that they can potentially squeeze a profit from.
Chano's teenage son Daniel, fostered in Costa Rica, sets out to find his family roots and his journey takes him halfway round the world, wherein Newman is able to examine the plight of immigrants to the UK, and then onwards to Seattle to the 1999 protests against the WTO.
The scope of this novel is huge, but Newman carries it off admirably. I was already aware of many of the issues he highlights here, but his writing brings the human element to life.

Buy it here