Frank Mundo's Blog - Posts Tagged "fiction"
The Brubury Tales by Frank Mundo is now available as an eBook
The Brubury Tales by Frank Mundo is now available as an eBook for Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc --> http://tinyurl.com/39cohny
The Brubury Tales gets a 5 star review from The Sacramento Book Review
I'm so excited. My new poetry book The Brubury Tales got a great review from The Sacramento Book Review. Yay.
"5 stars: This piece of art is in honor of The Canterbury Tales with a remarkable twist." Sky Sanchez for The Sacramento Book Review.
"In the original, a fleet of pilgrims travel together on a voyage participating in a story-telling contest; in Mundo’s we are dropped into the highly sensitized streets of Los Angeles after the riots. The competitive storytelling is swapped between seven security guards on night watch. The stakes? Christmas vacation time. Translated into today’s culture and language, written completely in verse (!), are the classic stories of such greats as Twain, Dickens, and Boccaccio, among many others.
Verse poetry, for the modern poetry reader, can teeter on tedious and sing-songy, sometimes disengaging the reader from the subject, but this is not the case here. His skill is astounding and has a natural cadence. These stories are intriguing and compellingly human, and soon enough the reading becomes listening."
Read the full review http://sacramentobookreview.com/poetr...
Here are some more great reviews of The Brubury Tales
“The Brubury Tales [by Frank Mundo] is a landmark book, in what is going to be -- and already is -- an exceptional, distinguished literary career.”
-- Carolyn See, the Friday-morning book reviewer for the Washington Post and bestselling author of Handyman and There Will Never Be Another You.
5 Stars: A fine collection and not one to be missed - Midwest Book Reviews
"Through history, things again and again repeat, and the tale of a millennia ago rings much of the tale today. "The Brubury Tales" is a collection of short stories of the format of seven security guards exchanging stories to passing the time after the Los Angeles riots. With inspiration from many literary classics and plenty of original spin, "The Brubury Tales" is a fine collection and not one to be missed."
5 stars: A brilliant blend of classical short stories - Richard Blake for Reader Views
"Mundo has captured the illusiveness that accompanies the familiar guarded attempt at intimacy. He understands there is a hesitancy to become vulnerable and completely honest when seeking friendships. Frank also provides insight into self-discovery and self-understanding.
This is a book that will entice the uninitiated to pursue reading the genuine classic stories that inspired "The Brubury Tales." Readers of the classics will re-live the originals as they become addicted to Mundo's amazing and unique narrative.
Frank Mundo, already an award winning author is well on his way to gaining recognition as an established literary writer. "Brubury Tales" is a brilliant blend of writing, combining the style of Chaucer while putting a new slant on the short stories of the classical writers."
5 Stars: Morgan St. James, author "The more I got into the rhythm of Frank’s brilliantly written poetry, the more I enjoyed it and felt compelled to keep reading. By the time I was at the middle of the book, I was completely in step with the difference between reading prose and poetry. The meat of the stories had a familiar ring and with good reason. They were updated versions of stories by Dostoevsky, Dickens, Boccaccio, O Henry, Poe, Twain, Gilman, Crane, Saki, Anderson, Bierce, and even Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, all told in Frank’s unique style.
As someone who would not ordinarily select a book completely written in poetry, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Somehow the mind takes off in a different direction than when reading prose. It is a rhythmic, comforting way to become immersed in the story and I can recommend this book to both lovers of poetic works and those who have yet to take the plunge."
5 Stars: The Brubury Tales is a unique and powerful new book -- Laura Frazin-Steele, LA Books Examiner
The Brubury Tales reflects Frank Mundo's clear and honest voice along with his prosaic writing style. Frank takes risks with his writing, which is sensitive, thoughtful, and gritty....Frank Mundo's security guards share their suspicions, and they show us their raw and innermost feelings. They also leave us with a sense of hope.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Brubury-Tales-F...
Watch a video reading on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6NlKU...
Watch the book trailer for The Brubury Tales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvzmW...
"5 stars: This piece of art is in honor of The Canterbury Tales with a remarkable twist." Sky Sanchez for The Sacramento Book Review.
"In the original, a fleet of pilgrims travel together on a voyage participating in a story-telling contest; in Mundo’s we are dropped into the highly sensitized streets of Los Angeles after the riots. The competitive storytelling is swapped between seven security guards on night watch. The stakes? Christmas vacation time. Translated into today’s culture and language, written completely in verse (!), are the classic stories of such greats as Twain, Dickens, and Boccaccio, among many others.
Verse poetry, for the modern poetry reader, can teeter on tedious and sing-songy, sometimes disengaging the reader from the subject, but this is not the case here. His skill is astounding and has a natural cadence. These stories are intriguing and compellingly human, and soon enough the reading becomes listening."
Read the full review http://sacramentobookreview.com/poetr...
Here are some more great reviews of The Brubury Tales
“The Brubury Tales [by Frank Mundo] is a landmark book, in what is going to be -- and already is -- an exceptional, distinguished literary career.”
-- Carolyn See, the Friday-morning book reviewer for the Washington Post and bestselling author of Handyman and There Will Never Be Another You.
5 Stars: A fine collection and not one to be missed - Midwest Book Reviews
"Through history, things again and again repeat, and the tale of a millennia ago rings much of the tale today. "The Brubury Tales" is a collection of short stories of the format of seven security guards exchanging stories to passing the time after the Los Angeles riots. With inspiration from many literary classics and plenty of original spin, "The Brubury Tales" is a fine collection and not one to be missed."
5 stars: A brilliant blend of classical short stories - Richard Blake for Reader Views
"Mundo has captured the illusiveness that accompanies the familiar guarded attempt at intimacy. He understands there is a hesitancy to become vulnerable and completely honest when seeking friendships. Frank also provides insight into self-discovery and self-understanding.
This is a book that will entice the uninitiated to pursue reading the genuine classic stories that inspired "The Brubury Tales." Readers of the classics will re-live the originals as they become addicted to Mundo's amazing and unique narrative.
Frank Mundo, already an award winning author is well on his way to gaining recognition as an established literary writer. "Brubury Tales" is a brilliant blend of writing, combining the style of Chaucer while putting a new slant on the short stories of the classical writers."
5 Stars: Morgan St. James, author "The more I got into the rhythm of Frank’s brilliantly written poetry, the more I enjoyed it and felt compelled to keep reading. By the time I was at the middle of the book, I was completely in step with the difference between reading prose and poetry. The meat of the stories had a familiar ring and with good reason. They were updated versions of stories by Dostoevsky, Dickens, Boccaccio, O Henry, Poe, Twain, Gilman, Crane, Saki, Anderson, Bierce, and even Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, all told in Frank’s unique style.
As someone who would not ordinarily select a book completely written in poetry, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Somehow the mind takes off in a different direction than when reading prose. It is a rhythmic, comforting way to become immersed in the story and I can recommend this book to both lovers of poetic works and those who have yet to take the plunge."
5 Stars: The Brubury Tales is a unique and powerful new book -- Laura Frazin-Steele, LA Books Examiner
The Brubury Tales reflects Frank Mundo's clear and honest voice along with his prosaic writing style. Frank takes risks with his writing, which is sensitive, thoughtful, and gritty....Frank Mundo's security guards share their suspicions, and they show us their raw and innermost feelings. They also leave us with a sense of hope.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Brubury-Tales-F...
Watch a video reading on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6NlKU...
Watch the book trailer for The Brubury Tales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvzmW...
Meet bestselling author Jean Kwok & read a sample of Girl in Translation
This week Jean Kwok, bestselling author of Girl in Translation, stopped by my site and shared the first chapter of her book. Read it here --> http://www.examiner.com/books-in-los-...
Book review: The Book of Want by Daniel Olivas
The Book of Want by Daniel A. OlivasMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed this book --> http://www.examiner.com/books-in-los-ang...
View all my reviews
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
I have a new book called Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy, new fiction by Frank Mundo --> http://t.co/71J8WVM
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories is a collection of a dozen short stories that were published over the years in college journals, literary magazines, and anthologies while Frank Mundo wrote his award-winning novel-in-verse The Brubury Tales. All of the stories in this collection focus on the life and times of J.T. Glass (the narrator of The Brubury Tales), a Los Angeles security guard who has an uncanny knack for finding trouble and falling in love--often at the same time.
Read more at amazon.com --> http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy, new fiction by Frank Mundo --> http://t.co/71J8WVM
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories is a collection of a dozen short stories that were published over the years in college journals, literary magazines, and anthologies while Frank Mundo wrote his award-winning novel-in-verse The Brubury Tales. All of the stories in this collection focus on the life and times of J.T. Glass (the narrator of The Brubury Tales), a Los Angeles security guard who has an uncanny knack for finding trouble and falling in love--often at the same time.
Read more at amazon.com --> http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
These stories are so full of soul
I got a really great review today from a reader that made my day about my short story book Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
5 stars: These stories are so full of Soul!
I was totally drawn into these realistic, heartwarmingly, and sometimes tragic human stories. I suspect these are semi-autobiographic; they are so full of soul. These are stories from J. T. Glass' life, a night security guard in Los Angeles, who has ambitions to be a writer. . Frank Mundo has definitely succeeded here in this book. I look forward to reading The Brubury Tales, although I must admit that I am a little intimidated by his utilizing iambic pentameter. I will most likely read anything Frank Mundo writes; he has real talent, and a great future ahead of him.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
5 stars: These stories are so full of Soul!
I was totally drawn into these realistic, heartwarmingly, and sometimes tragic human stories. I suspect these are semi-autobiographic; they are so full of soul. These are stories from J. T. Glass' life, a night security guard in Los Angeles, who has ambitions to be a writer. . Frank Mundo has definitely succeeded here in this book. I look forward to reading The Brubury Tales, although I must admit that I am a little intimidated by his utilizing iambic pentameter. I will most likely read anything Frank Mundo writes; he has real talent, and a great future ahead of him.
Another 5 star review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories
Another 5 star review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
5 stars "Nailing the Voice"
Warning! Spoiler. (but only for one little story from this collection.)
Only read the first half of the stories but had to do a review. Enjoyed the first few stories and thought he was fantastic at conveying literary "voice." At first I thought I might find the mood too unrelentingly sombre but then I read the story called "Day at the Beach." It gives the balance and one of the most uplifting stories I've read. They say that one of the greatest skills an author can possess is to nail the "voice" of childhood. Frank Mundo has done it in this story. It will haunt me for a long time in a delightful way. If I were still teaching I'd go straight to school and try this one out on kids. I think they'd love all the BS from the big brother. I reckon they'd totally crack up. But don't get me wrong - these stories are for adults, though kids might enjoy that one.
The unpredictability! After all the preceding stories, I thought the big brother intended to half drown him. WRONG! These kids are so real, so cool and so lovable yet wicked. I'm a convert.
The "sensing" of the sea is perfect. This so nails the wildness, the scariness, the beauty of the ocean and all through the wondering eyes of childhood.
Now I'm off to read the stories I haven't even got to yet.
Available at Amazon for 99 cents --> http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Another 5 star review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
5 stars "Nailing the Voice"
Warning! Spoiler. (but only for one little story from this collection.)
Only read the first half of the stories but had to do a review. Enjoyed the first few stories and thought he was fantastic at conveying literary "voice." At first I thought I might find the mood too unrelentingly sombre but then I read the story called "Day at the Beach." It gives the balance and one of the most uplifting stories I've read. They say that one of the greatest skills an author can possess is to nail the "voice" of childhood. Frank Mundo has done it in this story. It will haunt me for a long time in a delightful way. If I were still teaching I'd go straight to school and try this one out on kids. I think they'd love all the BS from the big brother. I reckon they'd totally crack up. But don't get me wrong - these stories are for adults, though kids might enjoy that one.
The unpredictability! After all the preceding stories, I thought the big brother intended to half drown him. WRONG! These kids are so real, so cool and so lovable yet wicked. I'm a convert.
The "sensing" of the sea is perfect. This so nails the wildness, the scariness, the beauty of the ocean and all through the wondering eyes of childhood.
Now I'm off to read the stories I haven't even got to yet.
Available at Amazon for 99 cents --> http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Great Slices of Life
A new review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories has been posted from a reader in Venezuela:
A new 4-star review for my book Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories from a reader in Venezuela:
Great Slices of Life: "This is a set of great short stories. They are about the life and times of J.T., a security guard. If you think this is a boring sort of protagonist, then you must rethink it all over and wait to read these tales! Be warned: some are heart-warming, others sad... some poignant. One of them even managed to offend my personal set of beliefs (I simply refuse to share a particular viewpoint with the author), but even in spite of that these tales are outstanding pieces of work..."
Read the rest at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
A new 4-star review for my book Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories from a reader in Venezuela:
Great Slices of Life: "This is a set of great short stories. They are about the life and times of J.T., a security guard. If you think this is a boring sort of protagonist, then you must rethink it all over and wait to read these tales! Be warned: some are heart-warming, others sad... some poignant. One of them even managed to offend my personal set of beliefs (I simply refuse to share a particular viewpoint with the author), but even in spite of that these tales are outstanding pieces of work..."
Read the rest at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Brubury Tales Now on MP3
Earlier this year, I won a spoken word poetry contest at The Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica hosted by Don Kingfisher Campbell. The prize was time in the recording studio with producer Barry Schwam to record from my work.
Well, here it is, Selections from The Brubury Tales, which includes Five sections of The Brubury Tales read by me -- about 45 minutes of material!
And I'm pleased to report that Selections from The Brubury Tales is still hanging in there at #88 on Amazon's best selling spoken word poetry albums (it reached #5 yesterday).
Download the MP3 now! --> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008...
The Brubury Tales is a modern version of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Los Angeles just after the 1992 riots. Also available in paperback and for kindle at Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/The-Brubury-Tal...
Coming soon for Nook.
Well, here it is, Selections from The Brubury Tales, which includes Five sections of The Brubury Tales read by me -- about 45 minutes of material!
And I'm pleased to report that Selections from The Brubury Tales is still hanging in there at #88 on Amazon's best selling spoken word poetry albums (it reached #5 yesterday).
Download the MP3 now! --> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008...
The Brubury Tales is a modern version of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Los Angeles just after the 1992 riots. Also available in paperback and for kindle at Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/The-Brubury-Tal...
Coming soon for Nook.
