Coupland's iconic novels brought to life in two full-cast adaptations

Bursting onto the literary scene in 1991 with his debut Generation X, Douglas Coupland's novels swiftly established themselves as modern classics and brought the term 'Gen X' into the mainstream. His work still has resonance in today's world, with his vivid explorations of identity and creativity in the post-Baby Boomer generations. These pitch perfect adaptions probe our modern popular culture, with the author's signature wry twists and unsettling revelations.

In this adaptation by Theo Toksvig-Stewart, Douglas Coupland's brilliantly funny novel Microserfs takes a microscope to working culture in the early days of the tech boom. Dan is a Microsoft employee in desperate need of 'a life'. His world can be summed up as eat, sleep, code, repeat, and he's not quite feeling himself. So when the chance comes along for him and his friends to leave Microsoft to form a Silicon Valley start-up called OOP!, will they take the risk and leap into the unknown? In an unflinching and hilarious story, Dan and the other Microserfs try to find purpose, love and identity in the real world.

Perhaps one of Coupland's most iconic novels, Girlfriend in a Coma begins in December 1979 when 17-year-old Karen unexpectedly falls into a deep coma after a teen house party. Frighteningly, she'd predicted the end of the world in a letter sent to her boyfriend before she collapsed. Fifteen years later, Karen wakes up. The world in 1997 is a very different and confusing place. Her friends have grown up and their reality bears little resemblance to the hopes and dreams they shared in their youth. There are questions that need to be answered, time is running out and Karen must act.

Available as a double bill for the first time, these stunning adaptations are a fantastic listen. Performed by a full cast with production by Sony award-winning producer Dan Rebellato, these stories make for a stellar audio experience not to be missed.

Cast and credits

Microserfs

Written by Douglas Coupland

Dramatised by Theo Toksvig-Stewart

Directed by Anne Isger

Production Co-ordination by Luke MacGregor

Sound by Cal Knightley, Pete Ringrose, David Gregory, Billy Godfrey

Dan - Will Merrick

Karla - Samantha Dakin

Bug - Matthew Needham

Michael - Freddie Meredith

Todd - Chris Lew Kum Hoi

Susan - Chloë Sommer

Abe - Hughie O'Donnell

Ethan - Tom Kiteley

Dan's Mum - Joanna Monro

Dan's Dad - Roger Ringrose

Dusty - Fiona Skinner

Amy - Grace Saif

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 November 2022

Girlfriend in a Coma

Written by Douglas Coupland

Dramatised by Dan Rebellato

Produced by Polly Thomas

Music by Alice Trueman

Sound Design by Steve Brooke

Jared - Florian Hutter

Karen - Rayisa Kondracki

Wendy - Maggie Blake

Richard - Jason Durran

Hamilton - Simon Lee Phillips

Pamela - Heather Dann

Doctor - Peter Marinker

Megan - Julia Summer

Gloria - Buffy Davis

First Broadcast BBC Radio 3, 24 February 2008