"All Families are Psychotic" by Douglas Coupland is a darkly humorous and absurd novel that delves into the dysfunctional dynamics of the Drummond family. Set in Florida during the holidays, the story follows the chaotic and over-the-top experiences of the family members as they come together to witness the launch of their successful astronaut daughter. The plot twists and turns through outrageous events such as criminal enterprises, family secrets, and bizarre relationships, all narrated with a mix of zany humor and poignant insight. Coupland's writing style is described as fantastical, fast-paced, and filled with dark humor, making the implausible situations seem completely possible through excellent character development.

Characters:

The characters are exaggerated representations of dysfunction, with varying depths that evoke both humor and sympathy.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is marked by clever humor, strong dialogue, and a blend of absurdity with heartfelt moments.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a dysfunctional family and their chaotic interactions as they converge for an astronaut's launch, interspersed with absurd and tragic elements.

Setting:

The setting is a chaotic family gathering in Florida, highlighting both past and present issues faced by the characters.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven; while flashbacks are managed well, the overall development can feel rushed and lacking in credibility.

Janet opened her eyes — Florida's prehistoric glare dazzled outside the motel window. A dog barked; a car honked; a man was singing a snatch of a Spanish song. She absentmindedly touched the scar from...

Notes:

The book features a family traveling to Florida to see their astronaut member launch into space.

Sarah Drummond, a thalidomide baby, becomes a NASA astronaut despite having one hand.

The family has serious issues like AIDS, liver cancer, and suicidal depression.

One brother, Wade, contracts AIDS and accidentally passes it to their mother.

The plot includes absurd elements like a family member selling babies and illegal drug deals.

The family's problems are depicted through a comedic yet dark lens.

The narrative alternates between past and present to show the family's dysfunctionality over time.

The story is described as having zany and absurd plot twists that challenge credibility.

Readers find the book funny, claiming it highlights the bizarre aspects of family life.

The writing style mixes humor with a sense of melancholy, characteristic of Coupland's works.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include discussions of AIDS, suicide, mental health issues, drug use, and infidelity.

From The Publisher:

The Drummond family, reunited for the first time in years, has gathered near Cape Canaveral to watch the launch into space of their beloved daughter and sister, Sarah. Against the Technicolor unreality of Florida's finest tourist attractions, the Drummonds stumble into every illicit activity under the tropical sun-kidnapping, blackmail, gunplay, and black market negotiations, to name a few. But even as the Drummonds' lives spin out of control, Coupland reminds us of their humanity at every turn, hammering out a hilarious masterpiece with the keen eye of a cultural critic and the heart and soul of a gifted storyteller. He tells not only the characters' stories but also the story of our times-thalidomide, AIDS, born-again Christianity, drugs, divorce, the Internet-all bound together with the familiar glue of family love and madness.

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All Families are Psychotic

Douglas Coupland