Frank Mundo's Blog - Posts Tagged "jt-glass"
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...
A Literary Achievement!
Gary the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories received another 5-star review today on Amazon. The review also helped the book crack Amazon's 100 top-ranked short story collections at #89. Very exciting.
5.0 out of 5 stars: A Literary Achievement!
I just finished, Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and think it's brilliant. It is literary genius! Although written with a fair amount of humor, the stories within these pages have a chilling darkness to them that compel us to stop and think about life...the many decisions we must face when growing up, chances that are lost, and paths we take that have life-changing consequences.
These stories are deftly penned, precisely edited and, for me anyway, profoundly thought-provoking. Kudos and praise to this man's story-telling abilities. I am in awe.
Linell Jeppsen
5.0 out of 5 stars: A Literary Achievement!
I just finished, Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and think it's brilliant. It is literary genius! Although written with a fair amount of humor, the stories within these pages have a chilling darkness to them that compel us to stop and think about life...the many decisions we must face when growing up, chances that are lost, and paths we take that have life-changing consequences.
These stories are deftly penned, precisely edited and, for me anyway, profoundly thought-provoking. Kudos and praise to this man's story-telling abilities. I am in awe.
Linell Jeppsen
Stories to live by Reviews Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories
I was pleased to learn that the Stories to live by blog on wordpress has reviewed my short story collection, Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy & Other Stories. Here's a bit of it:
"Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and other stories by Frank Mundo is a collection of short stories that give insight to various stages in the life of a man named J.T. Glass. J.T. is a security guard with a sharp tongue, wild imagination, a wicked and sometimes dark sense of humor and has an interesting way of looking at life...
There are twelve parts to this book (one is of bonus material) and each one tells us a different story..."
Please visit storiestoliveby and check it out if you have a minute. Like it, share it, comment on it. I appreciate your support.
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories is available in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, for kindle and the Nook, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords. If you like short stories in the general fiction genre, check it out. Or read some of the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. It has nothing to do with fairies. I promise -- not that there's anything wrong with that. The title is simply an unfortunate nickname given to one of the characters by bullies when he was in high school.
"Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and other stories by Frank Mundo is a collection of short stories that give insight to various stages in the life of a man named J.T. Glass. J.T. is a security guard with a sharp tongue, wild imagination, a wicked and sometimes dark sense of humor and has an interesting way of looking at life...
There are twelve parts to this book (one is of bonus material) and each one tells us a different story..."
Please visit storiestoliveby and check it out if you have a minute. Like it, share it, comment on it. I appreciate your support.
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories is available in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, for kindle and the Nook, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords. If you like short stories in the general fiction genre, check it out. Or read some of the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. It has nothing to do with fairies. I promise -- not that there's anything wrong with that. The title is simply an unfortunate nickname given to one of the characters by bullies when he was in high school.
