Yesterday, my husband and I enjoyed a day out in Marin County. We took a walk along the Tennessee Valley Trail to the beach, and it was… Read more “What are the most pretentious suburbs in the Bay Area?”
Category: Suburban studies
Friday story time: How the the starter home, once a dream for this lovely young couple, becomes a trap
Tom and Betsy Rather are an attractive suburban couple in their late 20s, early 30s. They both went to good schools and graduated from college. Tom distinguished himself in the… Read more “Friday story time: How the the starter home, once a dream for this lovely young couple, becomes a trap”
Jumping on the Glee bandwagon: a show for suburban high school "losers" like me
Why are my son and I, so far, glee-ful about the new Fox TV high school dramedy, Glee? This new series follows an idealistic teacher, Will Schuester… Read more “Jumping on the Glee bandwagon: a show for suburban high school "losers" like me”
Suburban wife-swapping and infidelity: Fiction or fact? And who has the time or energy these days?
A topic to ponder post-Cupid’s Day? I’m slowing getting my way through Couples, John Updike’s famed fictional account of 1960s marital discord and sexual philandering amongst prosperous… Read more “Suburban wife-swapping and infidelity: Fiction or fact? And who has the time or energy these days?”
Get ready East Bay homeowners: your home values will continue to fall
So says a post published last week on the website, Newgeography.com: “The latest house price data indicates no respite in the continuing price declines, especially where the… Read more “Get ready East Bay homeowners: your home values will continue to fall”
Crazy Suburban Pop Culture Moments this past week: John Updike’s "Couples" and the novel and new film, "Revolutionary Road"
As part of my continued interest in a field I’m calling “Suburban Studies,” or, more appropriately, “Crazy in Suburbia Studies,” I recently acquainted myself with two notable… Read more “Crazy Suburban Pop Culture Moments this past week: John Updike’s "Couples" and the novel and new film, "Revolutionary Road"”
Literary great John Updike, pioneering chronicler of American suburban ennui, dies at age 76
John Updike, one of the pioneering voices examining the craziness of the emerging suburban landscape of post-World War II America, has died. His publicist announced Tuesday that… Read more “Literary great John Updike, pioneering chronicler of American suburban ennui, dies at age 76”
Big, Ugly Houses: Chapter I, Walnut Creek’s own Xanadu
Okay, go ahead and call me mean and a scold for singling out the above-pictured home, which sits oh-so conspiciousy on top of a ridge above an… Read more “Big, Ugly Houses: Chapter I, Walnut Creek’s own Xanadu”
Top Pop Culture Reference to Suburbia: Revolutionary Road, the Novel and the New Movie
Coming to a movie screen near you on December 26: the already critically acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated, and Oscar-buzz-worthy film version of Richard Yates’ 1961 novel Revolutionary Road.… Read more “Top Pop Culture Reference to Suburbia: Revolutionary Road, the Novel and the New Movie”
In his Final Days, Adolph Hitler Deals With His Own Real Estate Downfall
Yes, any headline with “Adolph Hitler” and “Real Estate Downfall” needs an explanation. To begin, one of my favorite films of the last few years was Downfall… Read more “In his Final Days, Adolph Hitler Deals With His Own Real Estate Downfall”
Crazy in Suburbia 