PopCo - Scarlett Thomas

Popco is a contemporary novel set in Devon. The title refers to the name of a fictitious toy company, the third biggest in the world after Mattel and Hasbro. It is told from the first person perspective of Alice Butler, a young woman who works for Popco in their Ideation and Design department. Almost everyone in Ideation and Design is young, very cool and addicted to following fashion trends, which currently mean everyone dresses like college kids from Tokyo. Alice stands out as she has her own style, but her dilemma is, if she dresses like them she fits in, and if she doesn't dress like them she is cool, daring and individualistic and therefore still fits ...  Read the complete review

I picked up this book after reading Scarlett Thomas' book "The End of Mr Y" which intrigued, baffled and bewildered me in equal measures. After reading the first page or so of "Popco" in the book shop, it seemed to be less confusing and i parted with my cash and dashed home to start reading. This book is written from the perspective of the main character - Alice Butler - who works for a toy company: Popco. She is described as a non-conformist who has created toy concepts based on her own interests in codes and encryption. the book starts with her late-night journey to a company retreat/convention which is taking place in a country ...  Read the complete review