The Gum Thief

By Douglas Coupland

What a bizarre book! I truly love Douglas Coupland. His books are insightful, profound, weird, wonderful and it is impossible to put one of his books down once you’ve started! This one is simply bizarre.

The story in itself is pretty straightforward. Set in Staples, the beast that is the office superstore and centre of boredom and sad souls, the story is of a guy developing a friendship with a girl. Roger Thorpe is in his forties, divorced, tragic life story, alcoholic and has been working in staples for too long, loves his dog. He is sad. Bethany is late teens, black lipstick girl, white face, feels unimportant and invisible.

Their relationship starts with a diary open on the table in the staff room. It belongs to Roger and Bethany finds it. They start writing to each other and that’s how we get to know them more too. We dig into their lives, meet other people: Bethany’s mum, Roger’s ex, Staples colleagues.

This bit of the book is fascinating in itself. Coupland amazing ability to climb into people’s heads and make a ‘invisible’ person interesting is fully shown in this book. This time also, I think that he ‘anti-stereotype’s’ people, if you see what I mean! I felt myself going into Staples, seeing Bethany and making all kinds of unfounded and wrong judgements and decisions about her. I felt myself walking past and not noticing Roger. Now I might see him and feel sorry for him, realising that he has a life I know nothing about, how kind, gentle and caring he might be.

Then there is ‘Glove Pond’! Roger Thorpe, the character in ‘Gum Thief’, wants to be an author. He has started to write the book and shares bits of it with Bethany, and with us. Bethany loves it and her encouragement helps Roger to write more.

That’s ok. However, in my special edition that Tim got me, I got ‘Glove Pond’ by Roger Thorpe for free! Is he real or is he Coupland’s character? Coupland is making out that he has given his mate a chance and has published this book for him. I can understand that Coupland would be kind enough to do that. I could also imagine Coupland doing something as weird as publishing a book that is written by one of his characters. I don’t believe Roger Thorpe exists, but I couldn’t be sure!

I’ll let you know when I’ve finished reading ’Glove Pond’!!

‘The Gum Thief’ is a brilliant, brilliant book.