by Bill Geist
First published 1985
Bill Geist turns his columnist's eye on the peculiar world of American suburbia, where one third of the nation makes its home. He serves as tour guide through the strange customs that define suburban life, from the annual Halloween safety panic to the elaborate rituals surrounding youth sports. Geist examines how suburbanites dress, what they eat, how they celebrate holidays, and what crops grow in their carefully maintained yards. He dissects the suburban economy and the particular forms of shelter that define these communities. His observations reveal the gap between suburban aspirations and suburban reality, showing how these planned communities develop their own folklore and traditions. The book captures the absurdities and contradictions of suburban culture through the lens of someone who understands both its appeal and its limitations.
Genres: humor, american, contemporary, non-fiction
Vibes: thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: observational-humor, satire
Setting: America, Suburbia
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
275 pages · Hardcover · Crown