Frank Mundo's Blog - Posts Tagged "gary-the-four-eyed-fairy"
New 5 star review
My new book, Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy got a great 5 star review on Amazon. Check it out... 12 stories only 99 cents.
5 Stars -- If Philip Marlowe had been a security guard...or an anguished teenager
A smart rendering of the modern human condition. I laughed out loud through much of it - notwithstanding the descriptive parts (especially the lizard doing push-ups and boric acid-snorting roaches.) Perfect! A great read.
http://tinyurl.com/3vgbgdr
5 Stars -- If Philip Marlowe had been a security guard...or an anguished teenager
A smart rendering of the modern human condition. I laughed out loud through much of it - notwithstanding the descriptive parts (especially the lizard doing push-ups and boric acid-snorting roaches.) Perfect! A great read.
http://tinyurl.com/3vgbgdr
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.
Brilliant glimpses of a life...
Another good review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories 99 cents
5 stars: Brilliant glimpses of a life
Mundo offers brilliant glimpses of moments in life of J.T. Glass, a security guard. Some are life defining, some fraught with moral dilemma, some just simple but powerful tableaus likely to stay etched in memory as if lighted by lightning. As each of these moments is different in significance and consequences, so the stories differ in mood and voice, but every one of them is carefully crafted, expressive but unembellished, a perfect reflection of those episodes.
Highly recommended!
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
5 stars: Brilliant glimpses of a life
Mundo offers brilliant glimpses of moments in life of J.T. Glass, a security guard. Some are life defining, some fraught with moral dilemma, some just simple but powerful tableaus likely to stay etched in memory as if lighted by lightning. As each of these moments is different in significance and consequences, so the stories differ in mood and voice, but every one of them is carefully crafted, expressive but unembellished, a perfect reflection of those episodes.
Highly recommended!
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
The Rhythm Just Flows....and the beat goes on
5 Stars: The Rhythm Just Flows....and the beat goes on, September 23, 2011
After reading Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories I knew I had to read more from Frank Mundo. The only problem was the fact that this was written utilizing iambic pentameter and that scared the craaaap out of me! I felt like I had to put on my big girl panties to tackle this! So I sucked in a deep breath and dove in and I was blown away. To say Frank writes with style, passion and soul just begins to scratch the surface! His talent makes it seem so simple and easy. These stories and people (they are not just characters) will stay with you. I loved the premise of the whole book. And the fact that Frank makes an appearance in the book as the head boss cracked me up! It just makes you wonder if each and every actor is a piece of Frank also. I will read anything Frank Mundo writes, even if he chooses to use iambic pentameter again! Thank you for sharing your stories with the world!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Brubury-Tal...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
After reading Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories I knew I had to read more from Frank Mundo. The only problem was the fact that this was written utilizing iambic pentameter and that scared the craaaap out of me! I felt like I had to put on my big girl panties to tackle this! So I sucked in a deep breath and dove in and I was blown away. To say Frank writes with style, passion and soul just begins to scratch the surface! His talent makes it seem so simple and easy. These stories and people (they are not just characters) will stay with you. I loved the premise of the whole book. And the fact that Frank makes an appearance in the book as the head boss cracked me up! It just makes you wonder if each and every actor is a piece of Frank also. I will read anything Frank Mundo writes, even if he chooses to use iambic pentameter again! Thank you for sharing your stories with the world!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Brubury-Tal...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Frank Mundo reads at Moorpark College
I'll be reading from The Brubury Tales at Moorpark College on October 19 at 5:30 pm
October 19:
Featured Reader: Frank Mundo's The Brubury Tales is a modern version of The Canterbury Tales in Los Angeles just after the riots. In the book, seven security guards on the graveyard shift swap tales in an impromptu competition for vacation time.
Moorpark Faculty Reader: Carol Celluci
more info:
http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/depart...
The Brubury Tales: http://www.amazon.com/Brubury-Tales-F...
October 19:
Featured Reader: Frank Mundo's The Brubury Tales is a modern version of The Canterbury Tales in Los Angeles just after the riots. In the book, seven security guards on the graveyard shift swap tales in an impromptu competition for vacation time.
Moorpark Faculty Reader: Carol Celluci
more info:
http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/depart...
The Brubury Tales: http://www.amazon.com/Brubury-Tales-F...
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...
Another 5 star review for Gary the Four-Eyed Fairy
Another 5 star review for my new book Gary the Four-Eyed Fairy
5 Stars: An exciting series of short stories which reads like a novel
This is ostensibly a series of short stories, but because of the common theme and character of the narrator J.T. Glass, it feels much more like a novel. The reader is led through a series of situations J.T. finds himself in --- sometimes from childhood, sometimes adolescence, and sometimes adulthood --- and sees those situations through J.T.'s eyes. Those eyes are ironic, intelligent, and full of humor about things that would otherwise be impossible to cope with.
Reading this book is something of an emotional adventure. The situations are so shocking, and so varied, that there's never a point at which you can guess what's coming next. But the heart of the book --- the tone which is maintained throughout --- is kind enough that the ride can be endured, and is worth going on.
Oh, and most importantly. This book is written with an artist's eye (a fact which is hinted at in the very first story). Phrases are used symmetrically, popping up meaning one thing at one moment, and something much richer at another. The language, the pacing, and the mood are all established carefully.
If you ignore the attention poured into it, the end result is a book which reads smoothly and easily. If you care to, though, it's also a book worth studying.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
5 Stars: An exciting series of short stories which reads like a novel
This is ostensibly a series of short stories, but because of the common theme and character of the narrator J.T. Glass, it feels much more like a novel. The reader is led through a series of situations J.T. finds himself in --- sometimes from childhood, sometimes adolescence, and sometimes adulthood --- and sees those situations through J.T.'s eyes. Those eyes are ironic, intelligent, and full of humor about things that would otherwise be impossible to cope with.
Reading this book is something of an emotional adventure. The situations are so shocking, and so varied, that there's never a point at which you can guess what's coming next. But the heart of the book --- the tone which is maintained throughout --- is kind enough that the ride can be endured, and is worth going on.
Oh, and most importantly. This book is written with an artist's eye (a fact which is hinted at in the very first story). Phrases are used symmetrically, popping up meaning one thing at one moment, and something much richer at another. The language, the pacing, and the mood are all established carefully.
If you ignore the attention poured into it, the end result is a book which reads smoothly and easily. If you care to, though, it's also a book worth studying.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Another 5-star review from a reader in the UK
Another 5-star review for my book Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories from a reader in the UK. Yay.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
An excellent set of stories
I picked this book up purely on the strength of the title and after reading the first two stories, I came back and had a quick flick through the reviews, because I hadn't bothered when I first got the book and I was interested as to whether other viewpoints reflected my own.
This is an excellent series of short stories, all based around a single character at various stages of his life, in a variety of different situations.
* * * SPOILERS IN THIS SECTION * * *
I found the opening story, where J.T. meets the husband of one of his ex's to be easily the most entertaining short I have read in a while, and based upon the combination of this and the books' title, I was genuinely expecting more of the same.
However, author Frank Mundo has created in J.T., a very complex and decidedly noble character, who has an innate sense of justice and righteousness that is too often lost to us lesser mortals.
Instead of a cover-to-cover romp of chuckles, the character recounts stories of varying degrees of humour and darkness, as he trawls through everything from a sabotaged essay at the hands of his older siblings, to the suicide of a friend after a false rape accusation and falling from a window and being told by his older brother that they are now dead.
* * * END OF SPOILERS * * *
Every story carries a different moral dilemma and Mundo handles each of them expertly. I was delighted to find that other readers had enjoyed and rated this collection as highly as me, and indeed, this work is deserving of the high praise.
Powerful writing is coupled with an outstanding level of editing and this combines to create some superb use of language. The observational "quirks" within the writing are carefully thought out and the reader finds that they are soon sharing the thoughts and emotions of the central character, as if they were present at the time.
If I wanted to pick on something, it would possibly be that the stories do not run in chronological order, which may have allowed the reader to pick up on the subtle character changes as J.T. aged. Despite this, in its own right, this is a VERY good read.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
An excellent set of stories
I picked this book up purely on the strength of the title and after reading the first two stories, I came back and had a quick flick through the reviews, because I hadn't bothered when I first got the book and I was interested as to whether other viewpoints reflected my own.
This is an excellent series of short stories, all based around a single character at various stages of his life, in a variety of different situations.
* * * SPOILERS IN THIS SECTION * * *
I found the opening story, where J.T. meets the husband of one of his ex's to be easily the most entertaining short I have read in a while, and based upon the combination of this and the books' title, I was genuinely expecting more of the same.
However, author Frank Mundo has created in J.T., a very complex and decidedly noble character, who has an innate sense of justice and righteousness that is too often lost to us lesser mortals.
Instead of a cover-to-cover romp of chuckles, the character recounts stories of varying degrees of humour and darkness, as he trawls through everything from a sabotaged essay at the hands of his older siblings, to the suicide of a friend after a false rape accusation and falling from a window and being told by his older brother that they are now dead.
* * * END OF SPOILERS * * *
Every story carries a different moral dilemma and Mundo handles each of them expertly. I was delighted to find that other readers had enjoyed and rated this collection as highly as me, and indeed, this work is deserving of the high praise.
Powerful writing is coupled with an outstanding level of editing and this combines to create some superb use of language. The observational "quirks" within the writing are carefully thought out and the reader finds that they are soon sharing the thoughts and emotions of the central character, as if they were present at the time.
If I wanted to pick on something, it would possibly be that the stories do not run in chronological order, which may have allowed the reader to pick up on the subtle character changes as J.T. aged. Despite this, in its own right, this is a VERY good read.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
5 stars: Beautifully written
Very exciting. Got another 5-star review for my new book Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy
Beautifully written, February 4, 2012
This is a series of short tales based upon the same character, J T, as he stumbles his way through life. From childhood to adulthood, you are exposed to every sort of intimate thought as he tells stories of moral dilemmas, embarrassing moments, and other memorable times. You watch as he wrestles with his own conscience while handling varying degrees of stress in everyday life.
Frank Mundo's writing style is pure art, with an incredible ability to see and describe every nuance so perfectly that he forces the reader to experience the emotions, picture the setting, and live the story. He easily switches from humor to darkness, and can elicit laugh-out-loud chuckles as well as tears.
The exquisite writing, outstanding editing, and interesting stories make this a must read.
Read more at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Beautifully written, February 4, 2012
This is a series of short tales based upon the same character, J T, as he stumbles his way through life. From childhood to adulthood, you are exposed to every sort of intimate thought as he tells stories of moral dilemmas, embarrassing moments, and other memorable times. You watch as he wrestles with his own conscience while handling varying degrees of stress in everyday life.
Frank Mundo's writing style is pure art, with an incredible ability to see and describe every nuance so perfectly that he forces the reader to experience the emotions, picture the setting, and live the story. He easily switches from humor to darkness, and can elicit laugh-out-loud chuckles as well as tears.
The exquisite writing, outstanding editing, and interesting stories make this a must read.
Read more at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Link to my interview with LA Library
Here's the link to my interview with the library. Check it out if you have a minute -- and please leave a comment to show your support of their reading and writing program for kids.
http://cypressparklapl.blogspot.com/2...
http://cypressparklapl.blogspot.com/2...
