Customer Reviews

GenX Reader

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Although this tome dates from 1994, it now reads like a history book of GenX culture. We may have moved on from there, but in 1994 this was where it was at.

Some of the articles seem out of place, like the interview with Ice Cube, while others are spot on like Dan Clowes comic make the whole work a useful compendium of GenX work. It must be remembered that as a "Reader" it represents an overall view of the (at the time) current trends. It does this quite well.

From a historical view though, it is frustrating that none of the potential of GenX (such as the global protest movement) could be seen from 1995, and as such is not included as a concept.

If you can get your hands on a copy, then read it if you're interested in an overview of content that elsewhere is hard to find. Otherwise try more up to date books such as Naomi Klien's No Logo.

When I read this in 1995, it felt like I'd found an entire generation that felt like I did - a 22 year old with little positive outlook on my career and how other generations saw us. 6 years later, it's a quaint look at how wrong we can be. While I'm sure there are people out there who lived the "Gen-X" dream (or nightmare), it certainly does not define an entire generation.

That said, the pieces within this reader are still a good read, from fiction, to old-school BBS posts, to underground comics, essayes and interviews, there's plenty to keep one amused from a purely creative view - it's just no longer that easy to relate to.