Generica [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Will Ferguson (Author), Ron Halder (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2001

In this audiobook of his satirical, fast-paced novel, Will Ferguson skewers society’s obsession with self-improvement. Generica is the story of Edwin de Valu, a beleaguered junior editor at Panderic Press. In desperate need of a new self-help author, Panderic decides to publish a rambling 1000-page manuscript by an obscure author named Tupak Soirée. What I Learned on the Mountain is different from any self-help book before it in one respect — it works! The book quickly becomes the best selling book ever. Suddenly, everyone CAN be happy, CAN lose weight and stop smoking, and CAN get rich quick. Edwin fears that the bliss he has unleashed on the world may indeed be a curse. One by one his friends and family take up the cult of “Happiness” (a word now trademarked by Panderic Press). Soon Edwin begins to see that any system of blind acceptance is ultimately destructive. He realizes that he is the unlikely champion that fate has chosen to fight the menace of Happiness™.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Edwin de Valu, an overworked and underpaid editor at New York’s Panderic Press, is in trouble. He needs a hit for the coming season. In desperation he stakes his flagging career on a rambling self-help manuscript that promises its readers endless wealth, effortless weight loss and everlasting happiness. To Edwin’s surprise, Tupak Soiree’s magnum opus not only becomes a runaway bestseller but ushers in the global cult of “Happiness” (a word now trademarked by Panderic Press). It’s up to Edwin to save American from Tupak (the “Stalin of the New Age”) and his “neutron bomb of love.”

About the Author

Will Ferguson was born in Fort Vermillion, Alberta. His debut book Why I Hate Canadians was a national bestseller. Recently, he published the bestselling Bastards and Boneheads and Canadian History For Dummies. Ferguson is also the author of the critically acclaimed travel narrative Hokkaido Highway Blues, as well as the budget traveller’s favourite, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Japan.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: BTC Audiobooks; No edition edition (August 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864923260
• ISBN-13: 978-0864923264
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,987,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously written and a unique concept, December 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Generica (Audio Cassette)

I laughed out loud reading this book. The writing style & timing is absolutely hilarious. The premise is a bit unbelievable, but it's supposed to be. It's a fictional "what if" and it's told, as it should be, from the viewpoint of a cynical editor. The idea that a Charles Mansonesque brainwashing con artist could change the world is laughable, but makes you wonder...could it happen? I'd recommend this book to anyone who craves a unique storyline and escape to a world that could be.

5.0 out of 5 stars More angry, urban male fiction - Worth your time!, August 23, 2002

By 

LN (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Generica: A novel (Paperback)

`Generica' was much what I expected it would be - biting, `gen-x' satire, with snide inside jokes at the popular culture of North America. It was also very much not what I expected - very funny, very insightful, and the author made it very clear he was well aware of the irony of the satire. It's also interesting that he neatly falls into the angry, urban male category he outlined for Canadian fiction in "How to Be a Canadian". A long time fan of Mr. Ferguson, I grudgingly admitted that I was entertained, and impressed, when finished. As a side note, I find it fascinating that the book had to be remarketed (is that even a word?) under the European title "Happiness" to increase its North American appeal, while it has been a huge success overseas. Another sad example of Canadian apathy. Keep it comin', Will.

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and wicked, July 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Generica: A novel (Paperback)

Generica (also known as Happiness TM) is vicious, clever, and insightful. The ending lagged a bit, but barely detracted from the pleasure of reading this book. I laughed out loud, and often.