The theme is that each story is written from a collection of old Polaroid photographs that Coupland found in a drawer.

The book's ends with a longer essay on Brentwood, California, home to Marilyn Monroe's grave, and the O. J. Simpson murder case.

Other images include a picture of Sharon Tate and Charles Manson, in reference to their mention in a story.

Some essays are recollections of places and events in Coupland's life, such as an article on the Lions Gate Bridge,[1] or a story about a visiting German reporter.

The essay follows Brentwood from its inception to its notoriety with the death of Marilyn Monroe and the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

The essay incorporates information off billboards and menus into its text, including interesting historical documents as well.

Coupland discusses his influences in writing this book in the introduction called “Kitchen Drawer Filled with Photos”.

It was to be written a year before in a style like the Palo Alto article, but Coupland lacked a hook for the story.