With a blend of humor and keen observation, the author explores the oddities and challenges of daily existence. Through witty anecdotes and insightful commentary, he highlights the absurdities we often overlook, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of life with a lighter heart.
This journal offers a reflective and engaging glimpse into the eightieth year of David Bouchier, a writer and teacher. Through his observations and experiences, he shares insights on aging, creativity, and the nuances of life, blending humor with poignant moments. Bouchier's unique perspective invites readers to contemplate their own journeys while enjoying his engaging storytelling style.
Delusions, Illusions, Lost Causes and Absurdities in Modern America
The narrative explores the stark contrast between the optimistic visions of the twenty-first century and the harsh reality that has unfolded. Promises of a Utopian society characterized by peace, prosperity, and technological advancement have been replaced by a grim landscape of challenges, including environmental degradation, conflict, and societal issues. The book reflects on the disillusionment felt in the wake of these unmet expectations, questioning the trajectory of humanity and the validity of the earlier predictions.
Humor and insight characterize Bouchier's entertaining commentaries on the quirks of everyday life, such as purchasing vitamin pills and enjoying poetry on the subway. Originally broadcast on public radio in Long Island and Connecticut, these pieces showcase his clever wit and unique perspective, contributing to his popularity as a radio personality in the region.
Offering insights from a seasoned writer, this book provides a unique perspective on the writing process, blending practical advice with humorous anecdotes. It covers a wide range of writing forms, from literary fiction to journalism, and presents provocative opinions that challenge conventional wisdom. Through the author's extensive experience as both a writer and an instructor, readers gain valuable lessons and entertaining reflections on the realities of the writing life.
With a blend of humor and philosophical insight, David Bouchier explores the nuances of American suburban life through over a hundred essays. Originally broadcast on National Public Radio and featured in his Sunday New York Times column, these pieces capture the everyday dramas and quirks of suburban existence, offering readers a reflective yet entertaining perspective on familiar experiences.
Life in a French Village "Like any new immigrants, we arrived with many anxieties. How would we live here, so far from the familiar culture and comforts of Long Island? Would we be able to manage life's basic survival tasks like understanding the TV schedule, making friends with the neighborhood cats, and finding a bakery that had really good croissants? This is a good example of how we always worry about the wrong things. Croissants were not a there was a bakery at each end of our street. The TV was so exceptionally bad that the schedule was irrelevant, and the local cats were rather more friendly than was strictly necessary." The Cats and the Water Bottles David and his wife Diane spent their sabbatical in a small village in the south of France. In this book, which he describes as "An antidote to Peter Mayle," recounts stories of their encounters with the villagers, village cats and village culture. Language problems, travels in France and Italy and reflections on French life make up this entertaining collection of essays about how it feels to become a foreigner.