Califobia: Adventures in Lala Land
Editorial Reviews
E'loise Ondash, San Diego Times Advocate, May 28, 1995
No one denies that Southern California is a bit of a wacky place to live, but sometimes it takes a real outsider to point out just how bizarre it really is. In Califobia, co-authors Colin White, transplanted Brit, and his American partner, Laurie Boucke comment on the cults, corruption, congestion, earthquakes, Kombucha tea, illegal immigration, religion, narcissism, police and politics that are part of life here. And it tells us what we already know but don't want to hear: that half the world is laughing at us and the other half is trying to move here.
On the California condor: "It's basically a big, black ugly buzzard that has been slowly dying off since the days of the saber-toothed tiger."
On cultural sensitivity: "It abandons all common sense. It's an all-inclusive cop-out and ranks alongside the surfboard and sunglasses as a symbol of style."
Hayward Connor, Union Jack, May 1995
Want to get real about El Ay and vicinity? Read Califobia--an absolute requirement for anyone setting their sights on the City of Angels or thinking of abandoning ship. Note that this is Southern Califobia. The City by the Bay is not included in this scathing expose.
Califobia is well researched and insightful. "To the true Southlander, there are four seasons--earthquake, fire, drought and flood"), hostile and hilarious (see "United States of America, Plaintiff versus One Ford Tractor, Defendant"). And the plays on words and fondness for alliteration only add to the fun. Here are the boom/bust CA cataclysms--gold rush, oil rush, movie rush(es) and immigration rush in a nuttershell.
The authors have nailed the place...I found the defining image to be the back cover photograph of a blond golfer blithely teeing off as a smoldering inferno rages on the fringe of the course.
Califobia: Adventures in Lala Land
Califobia: Adventures in Lala Land,Colin White,Laurie Boucke,White-Boucke Publishing,096250064X,California, Southern,Customs & Traditions,General,Humor,Sociology
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