Shampoo Planet by Douglas
Coupland
Witty, Humorous, And Fun!
Chronicles six months in the life of Tyler Johnson, an ambitious,
conservative twenty year old who was raised in a hippie commune. By
the author of Generation X. Reprint. PW.
Personal Review: Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Douglas Coupland definitely has an amazing way with words and a
knowledge of the conundrum felt by those in their late teens and early
twenties. Parents simply don't understand. How could they? They are
from a different era. A simpler era. What do they know of the current
zeitgeist? Such is the thought process of so many youngsters trying to find
their place and discover their purpose in a world overwrought with
technology and consumerism. Thus, such are the thought processes of
Tyler and his odd array of peers in this amazing novel. Can Tyler and his
mother find some way to work out their differences, and is there some
lesson to be learned from a washed up hippie?

Shampoo Planet begins with Tyler's mother, Jasmine, waking up to find
the word "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" written across her forehead. From this point
forth, Jasmine and Tyler both set sail on a roller coaster ride of self-
discovery, seeking to reclaim their self-worth from a new perspective.
From the small, cozy town of Lancaster, Washington, in which many suffer
from the closing of "the Plants," Tyler branches out seeking what else life
has to offer. Using his ambition as his fuel, Tyler aims towards escape
from the mundane.
We learn of Tyler's trip to Europe, during which he met an opportunistic
French girl named Stephanie, and from whom he will learn to appreciate
the past. Once Tyler returns home, we are introduced to his sister Daisy,
who seems eager to escape the present by living vicariously with her
boyfriend through her mother's days as a hippie. Tyler's now-ex-step-
father, Dan, would rather create false realities than face his true existence.
Tyler's grandparents have lost their money and are trying desperately to
regain their societal stature by becoming involved in a pyramid scheme.
We also learn of Tyler's post-feminist girlfriend, Anna-Louise, whose aim is
to help Tyler get through college and achieve his dream of becoming a big-
wig for a large corporation, and whom Tyler seems unwilling or incapable
of acknowledging the fact that she has an eating disorder.
Tyler later reconnects with his summer fling, Stephanie, who, after stirring
up controversy between Anna-Louise and Tyler, convinces him to venture
to California in attempt to "make it big" as a photographer. On the way
south, Tyler pays an uncomfortable visit to his estranged biological father.
Once in Hollywood, Tyler realizes that the "good life" isn't easily handed to
you on a silver platter.
Though Tyler and his friends are living in a time of modernity and
seemingly shallow introversion, where "what's on top of your head says
what's inside your head," there is really more to them than meets the eye.
Disillusioned by magazines and television into believing a romanticized
version of the future exists, one in which people really do get what they
want and are actually happy with mere material possessions, Tyler clearly
has a lot to learn.
Coupland's writing is chock full of witty banter and intelligent, humorous
analogies that make for a highly entertaining read for those of any
generation. The cast of well-rounded, realistic characters is simply
unforgettable. Coupland has several good points to get across and he
knows how to do so in a way that is easily accessible, extremely fun, and
profoundly lighthearted. This is definitely not the last Coupland book I will
pick up. Very highly recommended!
"Clean hair; clean body; clean mind; clean life. You could become famous
at any moment and your whole personal history could be unearthed. And
then what would they find? Turn on the shower" (Coupland, 133).

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