René De La Varre

Like Pop, Like Schling: a Life of Travel, Tragedy, and Triumph René De La Varre

When he was just four years old, René Paul de laVarre earned the nickname "schling," meaning rascalin his native German language. He admits to havinga wild side from a young age and spending much ofhis life like a wandering nomad in the quest forknowledge and adventure. This memoir retraces René's footsteps throughAmerica, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the MiddleEast over the course of fifty years. His journey paysparticular tribute to his relationship with his father,referred to as Pop-a talented filmmaker, pianist, andwriter. René candidly discusses coming to grips withhis father's slow descent into alcoholism, a diseasethat eventually played a role in Pop's untimely death. Part memoir and part travelogue, Like Pop, LikeSchling is at times tragic, adventurous, and nostalgic. It is ultimately a story of hope as René encouragesthose struggling with substance abuse to have themettle to change their lives and to conquer theirdemons before the demons conquer them.