Published July 1, 2024
kindle direct publishing
ISBN 9798329880533
ASIN: B0D8JBT4L8
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8JBT4L8
Synopsis.
A smarter, older gentleman goes on a hike from Zurich to Geneva. On hiking trails, whenever they exist. But the declared goal is to reach the destination, the Café de la Place in Meyrin, as soon as possible. The adventures and encounters are more unforeseen than expected. The experience brings smiles, laughter, and a sense of achievement. But also unpleasant, teeth grinding and suffering. He has much time to explore his thoughts and follow the associations caused by the actual events. He inevitably ends up in complex, exuberant pipe dreams and bizarre, surreal spheres. Very often, he is sent into the virtual desert for his thoughs. Which he isn't concerned about. He continues to hike, ponder, and provoke, undeterred.
"When someone goes on a trip so he can tell something." (Matthias Clausius)
Impressum
This book is based on the 2022 in German published title 'Die Wanderung des älteren Herrn' by the same author.
This version, written in American English, was prompted by the author's conversations with his two sons and English-speaking friends.
Please note: English is not the author's native language.
The original version has been shortened and streamlined. End notes were added to make the text more accessible.
The book contains the actual description of the trip, socially critical provocations, challenging ideas and daring personal theses.
Expressions like foreign words, reflections, ambiguity, irony, and provocative statements are kept between apostrophes to highlight their significance in the narrative. This stylistic choice adds depth and nuance to the text, inviting readers to engage with the ideas presented.
The services from Google and Wikipedia were much appreciated. The help from Grammarly, LanguageTool, and ProWritingAid was pertinent.
The author extends his heartfelt gratitude to his partner, Germain, for her unwavering patience and attentive listening.
Text and cover:
Hans Bodmer
Copyrights
Hans Bodmer
Publisher Hans Bodmer
.
Index.
Vision/Prologue.
Day 1: Zurich - ‘Grapingen ’- Baldegg - Schinznach.
Day 2: Schinznach - Aarau - Schönenwerd - Olten.
Day 3: Olten - ‘Southwall’ - Kappel’ - Egerkingen.
Day 4: Egerkingen - Oensingen - Attisholz - Solothurn.
Day 5: Solothurn - Grenchen - ’Slutigen’ - Biel.
Day 6: Biel - ‘IT Valley’ - ‘Petri-Heil’ – ‘Saint Bluff’.
Day 7: ‘Saint Bluff’ - ‘Horgen’ - Neuchatel - ‘Eden sur Lac’.
Day 8: ‘Eden sur Lac’ - ‘Karlstadt’ - ‘Nobruegge’ - Orbe.
Day 9: Orbe - ‘Poste’ - La Sallaz - ‘Massacre’ - Lavigny.
Day 10: Lavigny - Signal de Bougie - ‘Orage’ - Dullier.
Day 11: Dullier - ‘Paradies’ - ‘Puzzle’ - Ferney-Voltaire.
Day 12: Ferney-Voltaire - ‘Havana’– Café de la Place.
People involved.
Leaps of thought.
The Author.
.
People involved.
The elderly gentleman, the ‘crazy’ Hans.
Gabriel, his guardian angel.
The devil.
Day 1:
1. The pastor in ‘Grapingen’.
2. The friendly lady at the Baldegg.
3. The two boys with their skateboards in Birr.
4. The evil Valkyrie with the vinegar bottle.
Day 2:
5. The competent waitress in Schinznach.
6. The unfriendly dog owner lady at the Aare River.
7. The sad lady in Schönenwerd.
Day 3:
8. The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Olten.
9. The junior soccer players near Egerkingen.
10. The beauty at the company’s party.
11. Beni National, the TV sports reporter.
Day 4:
12. The pastor and the lady in black in the back seat.
13. The campsite warden in Solothurn.
14. The naked ballerina under the shower.
Day 5:
15. The brutal waiter at the five-star restaurant.
16. The wealthy, gracious lady in the Rolls-Royce.
17. ‘Greti’, the slut from the railway station pub.
18. The lady from the air traffic control with the red rose.
Day 6:
19. Kunigunde, the long dryness of the Old Testament.
20. The voiceless saleswoman in the self-service store.
21. The quirky landlady in Nidau.
22. Pierre, the social dropout.
23. The admirable, friendly, and lovely lady at the kiosk in nowhere.
24. The bad, lousy hotelier and informer.
Day 7:
25. Two incompetent crime police officers.
26. The slut 'Greti'. Now, as Margaretha and future Dr. Phil.
27 Australian teens on an adventure trip in western Switzerland.
28. Mrs. Holle, the motherly fairy tale lady.
Day 8:
29. The incarnation of Gilberte de Courgenay.
30. Roughneck Rübezahl with his fence post.
31. The disbelieving landlady of a failing hotel.
32. Liz Tailor, who got lost in a provincial town.
Day 9:
32. Inspector Pelier, the friendly police officer.
33. The motorcycle-riding innkeeper Jean-Claud.
34. The baroness with the violet Peugeot cabriolet and in black nightwear.
Day 10:
35. The drunk racing cyclists.
36. Socrates on the tractor.
Day 11:
37. The friendly, helpful boy with the Appenzeller dog.
38. General Guisan. Out of service.
39. Maria Stuart and her maid.
40. Puzzle-solving aristocratic children.
41. Mere Royaume’s sister and her husband.
Day: 12:
42. The suspicious, seductively sexy, pretty lady at the four-star hotel.
43. The most beautiful of all ladies in this world: Juliette
The Author.
Born 1939 in Zurich.
Public primary and secondary school in Zurich. Apprenticeship as precision mechanic with Philips.
Professional career from 1959 to 2004 in all kinds of jobs in the IT business: Maintenance Engineer, System Programmer, System Analyst, Telecommunication specialist, Marketing Manager.
Worked for:
L.M. Ericcson
- Burroughs
- BULL
- Control Data
- PR1ME
- A major Swiss financial Institution.
Freelance Author: Poems, Essays, Compositions.
Amateur Actor.
Reviews/Critics/Evaluations
Twittwer Instagramm
From Novum Publisher 2.9.2024
Thank you for your reply. Your manuscript was chosen for publication from hundreds of others we receive each year because our editors greatly enjoyed reading your work.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Antwort. Ihr Manuskript wurde aus Hunderten von Manuskripten, die wir jedes Jahr erhalten, zur Veröffentlichung ausgewählt, weil unsere Redakteure große Freude daran hatten, Ihr Werk zu lesen.
From Onlinebookclub
Have you ever thought of doing something unique and rare, like going on a hike that lasts days, weeks, or even months? If you haven't, then I have a surprise for you from a man called Hans Bodmer who decided to go on a hike for two weeks from Zurich to Café de la Place. He takes an account of all the things that happen during his hike, for example, the time he wakes up and sets off, the places he walks through, the places he rests, and finally the hotel he decides to spend the night in.
He also lets his mind wander during these hikes, and he gives us his views on different topics and things such as religion, Coca-Cola, trees, business, newspapers, zodiac signs, and stars, among others. He adds a pinch of masculinity to the book by commenting on most of the women he meets while on his hike and how they act towards him. To find out more, please grab yourself a copy of the book The Elderly Gentleman's Ulyssee by Hans Bodmer.
I commend the author for his courage to go on such a rare and dangerous mission that most people would nearly find impossible. He goes on a hike because he loves and enjoys it, and this makes him courageous and unique. Most people nowadays barely walk due to the introduction of different means of transport and are not willing to take on such a risky endeavour.
I also liked that he included different quotes, sayings, and songs in his book, and each quote he mentioned fit the situation he was in when he mentioned it. This means that he put in a lot of effort to find the different quotes, songs, and sayings.
Another thing that is worth mentioning is the author's diverse knowledge on different topics. He had something to say about almost everything he saw, touched, used, or thought about, which I found admirable. He talked about trees, stars, zodiac signs, drugs, and religion, which proved how knowledgeable he is.
I didn't like the way he was classifying the women he met while on his trip. He was judging and classifying women according to their beauty, body shape, and the things they wore. He even mentioned women's lingerie and bras every time he saw them at a hotel or shop, which felt offensive.
Due to the reasons above, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone interested in adventure and hiking because that's what it entails.
******
Letter from an Editor
Dear Mr Bodmer, RE: 'The Elderly Gentleman's Ulyssee'' Your manuscript was brought to our attention at the latest Editorial Board meeting when we discussed the potential of its publication. Having read all the reports and taken note of the Editors’ opinions we can confidently state that your work was found to be a most thrilling, absorbing, and attractive read that was very well-written and will certainly captivate a wide audience. The Board was very pleased with the intriguing plot, which was well-conceived and developed, alongside a most fascinating cast of characters. We believe your work is very well-structured allowing the story to build progressively and weave together the underlying messages included in your work, including the importance of perseverance and exploration that is sure to resonate with many contemporary readers. The Board was keen to comment on the ambitious scope of the work and the engaging quality of the prose, which successfully delivered the reader into the travels depicted. Likewise, you have grounded the story with enough familiarity in the modern world that the reader can easily navigate the society you have constructed, which is a testament to your abilities as a writer in establishing a scene. The Board wished to display their compliments in acknowledgment of your prolific ability to depict your characters through distinctive dialogue that allows their thoughts and emotions to evoke a powerful resonance with rich consistency. Your work displays convincing execution that is consistent with previously established themes; however, you manage to ensure that your narrative, and the characters in particular are distinctive and compelling. It is felt by the Board that 'The Elderly Gentleman's Ulyssee'' would be a worthy addition to our collection of literature. Therefore, I take great pleasure in providing a contract for your perusal and, if you so decide, your approval. Our Board strongly feels that your work deserves publication and to be met with its perceived potential of reaching a wide audience. Considering the positive feedback and reports, we are delighted to offer your work a contributory agreement, wherein a collaborative relationship can be created between both author and publisher