BETTER LIVING THROUGH PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES, by Zsuzsi Gartner

This collection of short stories by Canadian author Zsuzsi Gartner is very appealing. It perfectly captures the zeitgeist, particularly in suburban, middle-class Vancouver where the stories are mostly set. There is some unevenness in the sense that I liked some stories more than others, but overall it's a very strong collection. Gartner is gifted in her cutting and spot-on language. She plugs into the cultural milieu of contemporary life with seeming ease. There is a sense of irony and, yes, lack of fulfillment in many of the stories, but they are told with such exuberance and humor that the overall effect is very entertaining and thought provoking.

Click here for a review of the book from The Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/better-living-through-plastic-explosives-by-zsuzsi-gartner/article1986899/