Tales of Youth and Age — Patrick Conley

Tales of Youth and Age chronicles the evolution of an American generation from childhood to old age. Thirteen different short stories narrate the lives of multiple protagonists as they experience the naïve optimism of youth and the 1950s, the disillusionment and rebellion of the 60s, the scramble for wealth and status of the 70s and 80s, and the inevitable disappointment and frustration of middle age, and the gradual turn towards resignation, acceptance, and redemption. Still, the stories of these people ultimately become the tales of all people everywhere at every time. Patrick Conley enjoys living with h is family, teaching his students, and writing an occasional novel. His more recent works include Dark Wine Gold; Old Outrage and New Revolution; A Victim of Its Own Success; May the Better Team; Rebuilding a Life; Besieging the Bureaucrats; Public Schools, Private Scandals; and SS 2044. In his own naïve way, he believes that fiction is infinitely more comprehensible than life.