This one is another Coupland classic. Quirky and often politically incorrect, it tells the story of Raymond Gunt - a videographer who thinks he is the shit. Unfortunately, what he thinks is normal and admirable about himself is exactly why everyone around him hates him. he treats people poorly while thinking he is doing them a favour and everything he does is for his own personal gain because, in his mind, he is so amazing that just being able to exist on the planet at the same time as him should be considered a great priviledge.
Coupland paints one of his most colourful characters yet in Gunt. Raymond ends up scoring a job working on the hit TV show "Survival" in the South Pacific, through the agency of his ex-wife. Through a series of misadventures, he finally arrives on the island to start working with his assistant (a homeless man he "did a favour for" by hiring him). On one of the adventures, a government official calls him the "worst. person. ever." and he lives up to the title time and time again as he works his way around the world on a hunt for epic sexual experiences and talking himself up every step of the way.
I loved reading this book. It's no secret that I am a huge Coupland Fan and this book was exactly what I was expecting...except...the ending fell a bit flat for me. It was like it was supposed to be a surprise ending but it didn't really make sense and the more I thought about it afterwards, the less I liked the ending. Though I suppose Raymond just got what he deserved.
I'll leave it at that. Read the book and let me know int he comments what you thought of the ending.