Microserfs at 20: How a Tech Novel Missed the Mark

Douglas Coupland's *Microserfs*, published 20 years ago, was a pioneering novel delving into the world of North American tech companies and startups. It chronicles the spiritual yearnings and time-wasting activities of young coders amidst the drudgery of software development, exploring how these activities become expressions of those yearnings. However, the novel's success fell short of expectations, potentially due to its narrative style and depiction of Microsoft's then-culture. Nevertheless, *Microserfs* remains compelling for its unique perspective on the 90s tech industry and its portrayal of the programmers' spiritual struggles, foreshadowing the impact of technological advancements on personal lives.