Another very interesting, and enlightening chat with author and long-time France ex-pat David Tepfer about life in general, and his new book called “Shikoku”, as in the Japanese Island of the same name.
As usual, our discussion not only touched on the book but also different aspects of life such as big cultural differences between the U.S and France. Find out how this young man from Oregon ended up in Paris, the city of lights.
“Shikoku” author David is an American in Paris:
As a young boy growing up in the States, David had the opportunity to travel with his family to different parts of the world. Paris remained a favorite destination and he had the desire to live there.
As is usual for most people, the passion to do just that lived on, but the reality was different. Nonetheless, as fate would have it, he was meant to be there, and there he has remained for many years and counting:
Some of the highlights of An American in Paris conversation:
- Growing up in Oregon and traveling with family.
- Sabbatical as a family.
- Love/Hate relationship with America.
- Family life in Paris and how different it is from the states.
- The thrill of Tokyo and the kindness of strangers.
- Tea ceremony in Japan, and being lucky enough to attend one.
- Working for a bit in Kobe, Japan.
- Staying at a Love Motel, and how it works.
- Environmental concern for the world.
- How Paris came about, thanks to his wife, and her great set of lungs.
- Life in Paris and growing a family.
- His love for cycling and the many adventures it begat, including many cycling jaunts in Japan and beyond.
- The original book idea and how it came about, his first spur of the momen thought which his wife found shocking btw, but which intrigued his son very much :-).
- Poetry and its significance in the book.
- “I am not your father” Freudian relationship and the complexity.
Shikoku: My opinion of the book
I was hesitant about reading the book at the beginning because l am not a true cycling fan, and was under the misguided notion it would be solely about that. I am the one changing channels when the Tour de France starts :-). I, however, enjoyed this book very much and actually read almost 140 of the pages in one sitting, something l haven’t done in a long time.
Shikoku even has me thinking of trading in my crappy bike for a real one and joining my cycling friends on their numerous trips around Valencia. I have indeed joined a cycling group as a first step. We’ll see how far l get :-).
While the book is about two avid cyclists, it is also a love story that unfolds slowly against various gorgeous settings that are so wonderfully described, you feel like you’re right there. Life, poetry and religion are also in the mix.
The girl especially is so full of surprises and l feel like she is like an onion with so many layers. I enjoyed getting to know her. I definitely recommend Shikoku to readers.
You can find the book on Amazon here: (also on Kindle)
Listen to the podcast here:
Other podcasts of interest:
Dealing with loss as an expat in Portugal
Journalist Christina Hoag on Latin America
Expat in Valencia, Maria Belton
Are you a big fan of serious cycling, either as a spectator or participant? Or are you a casual one like moi?
Always great when you learn someone’s story.
Yes, it certainly is :-).