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Shortstack: A collection of humor stories
Shortstack. Short stories by Timothy Hurley from wacky funny to thoughtfully amusing to personal and touching.
Meet Hanzel and Gretyl, Boomer pensioners, endangered in suburbia.
See Icarus fly his space ship to the sun and battle Theseus.
Go on a wild ride from the George Washington to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Watch the New York legal system crush Blogger Boy over Cookie Monster.
Learn why Uncle Bill’s unicorn have two horns?
See what happens when a wedding ring is lost a year after the wedding.
Read how a marriage survives a trip to New York.
Read the newest translation of Genesis from an ancient Gaelic manuscript.
Fans are clamoring for more from Timothy Hurley. This book shows why.
Meet Hanzel and Gretyl, Boomer pensioners, endangered in suburbia.
See Icarus fly his space ship to the sun and battle Theseus.
Go on a wild ride from the George Washington to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Watch the New York legal system crush Blogger Boy over Cookie Monster.
Learn why Uncle Bill’s unicorn have two horns?
See what happens when a wedding ring is lost a year after the wedding.
Read how a marriage survives a trip to New York.
Read the newest translation of Genesis from an ancient Gaelic manuscript.
Fans are clamoring for more from Timothy Hurley. This book shows why.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2013
28 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Hurley
22 books17 followersTimothy Hurley is a writer and retired physician. Coast hopping between New York City and San Francisco, he writes fiction and has several published short stories. His first novel is Johnny Don't March, the story of a returning soldier with PTSD.
Timothy lives in Brooklyn with his wife, where their forty-fourth wedding anniversary and the Mayan Apocalypse occurred on the same day. They survived both. His work has appeared in The Satirist, Fiction and Verse, Scatterplot, The Story Shack, and One Million Stories., and four print anthologies. His novel is available at Amazon.
Timothy lives in Brooklyn with his wife, where their forty-fourth wedding anniversary and the Mayan Apocalypse occurred on the same day. They survived both. His work has appeared in The Satirist, Fiction and Verse, Scatterplot, The Story Shack, and One Million Stories., and four print anthologies. His novel is available at Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 7, 2017
Not my cup of tea
Lots of short stories but I couldn't get into the humor of them. Some were 3stars but most were 2 to me
Lots of short stories but I couldn't get into the humor of them. Some were 3stars but most were 2 to me
March 10, 2024
A series of short stories with a humorous leaning. Some of them are better than others, but it has to be said that the retelling of Genesis by guests of a Mental Institution in New York is well worth the price of admission.
September 8, 2013
Timothy Hurley has tasted the rainbow and caught Humor Spectrum Disorder.
This offbeat (in a good way) anthology includes humorous stories in a variety of styles: punchy twists to classic mythology and fairy tales; plays on pop culture; and even Medicare references for Baby Boomers. But Hurley saves the real surprise, and the real craftsmanship of his talent, for funny but thoughtful stories such as Lost Ring and Coming to New York, which are at least semi-autobiographical glimpses into Hurley's life as a devoted husband transplanted from the Left Coast to Downtown Manhattan USA.
Each story has its own momentum, written to not only amuse, but to draw readers in close for a huddle.
I had no idea what to expect from one story to the next; for example, Hurley moves rapid-fire from a recollection of a recent online run-in with an attorney (Memo to Hell) to a police detective story with an unlikely suspect (The Strange Case of The Absorbing Story) to an "ancient" inspirational poem translated from the Dutch (Deteriroata Too):
"And despite impending environmental collapse.
There is always a big future in crisis management."
My absolute two favorite stories in this book are re-tellings of the Creation story (Genesis) and one set shortly thereafter (Thanksgiving in Eden, Adam's Memoir).
Expect the unexpected - except for laughing: you may as well plan on laughing. Shortstack is authentically funny.
This offbeat (in a good way) anthology includes humorous stories in a variety of styles: punchy twists to classic mythology and fairy tales; plays on pop culture; and even Medicare references for Baby Boomers. But Hurley saves the real surprise, and the real craftsmanship of his talent, for funny but thoughtful stories such as Lost Ring and Coming to New York, which are at least semi-autobiographical glimpses into Hurley's life as a devoted husband transplanted from the Left Coast to Downtown Manhattan USA.
Each story has its own momentum, written to not only amuse, but to draw readers in close for a huddle.
I had no idea what to expect from one story to the next; for example, Hurley moves rapid-fire from a recollection of a recent online run-in with an attorney (Memo to Hell) to a police detective story with an unlikely suspect (The Strange Case of The Absorbing Story) to an "ancient" inspirational poem translated from the Dutch (Deteriroata Too):
"And despite impending environmental collapse.
There is always a big future in crisis management."
My absolute two favorite stories in this book are re-tellings of the Creation story (Genesis) and one set shortly thereafter (Thanksgiving in Eden, Adam's Memoir).
Expect the unexpected - except for laughing: you may as well plan on laughing. Shortstack is authentically funny.
December 14, 2017
This collection of quirky but enjoyable humorous short-short stories are among the best I have read in recent years. These stories often combine the satirical thoughtful but pointed critiques of society found in Mark Twain with the surprise endings of an O. Henry and the terse style of a Hemingway. I especially enjoyed the unexpected riffs on science fiction, mythology, and biblical themes. Although there were no over-riding themes in this collection, subtle humorous portraits such as the story, "Got Tickets?" were a standout.
December 19, 2017
A recipe for ennui
If you like short stories, something to entertain you in the doctor's waiting room or waiting to pick up the kids from school or waiting for your prescription, this little collection should please you. No drama, no angst, no suspense, just some interesting little stories to keep your mind from boredom.
15
If you like short stories, something to entertain you in the doctor's waiting room or waiting to pick up the kids from school or waiting for your prescription, this little collection should please you. No drama, no angst, no suspense, just some interesting little stories to keep your mind from boredom.
15
February 21, 2018
Humorous indeed
There were some pretty good stories in this boom. The author Timothy Hurley put some real thought into them. Personally I could see myself as a member of the grumpy old men's club.
There were some pretty good stories in this boom. The author Timothy Hurley put some real thought into them. Personally I could see myself as a member of the grumpy old men's club.
December 6, 2017
Short stack
A collection of very short stories. The humor is a wacky and not much to my tastes. It is a quick read. I think this would appeal more to guys.
A collection of very short stories. The humor is a wacky and not much to my tastes. It is a quick read. I think this would appeal more to guys.
April 7, 2019
A very funny read. I had a good laugh.
May 5, 2014
I love funny books. Having said that though, not many authors have the ability to make me laugh out loud in public when I really don't want to. Congratulations Timothy Hurley - you're number five on my funny writer list, and that's quite a feat considering a couple above you are Tom Sharpe, Terry Pratchett, and Rankin.
This collection of short stories doesn't have any particular theme, but they're all brilliant in their own ways. You have Hanzel and Gretyl all grown up, Greek gods of the future, and pokes at everything from Father Christmas to Star Trek. I especially loved the sympathetic banker in the first tale - wish I had one of those. A fantastic read, and absolutely recommended to anyone with any sort of funny bone.
This collection of short stories doesn't have any particular theme, but they're all brilliant in their own ways. You have Hanzel and Gretyl all grown up, Greek gods of the future, and pokes at everything from Father Christmas to Star Trek. I especially loved the sympathetic banker in the first tale - wish I had one of those. A fantastic read, and absolutely recommended to anyone with any sort of funny bone.
September 5, 2013
Amusing collection of short stories and personal essays. Starts out with modern retellings of old fairy tales and myths. Very inventive twists on familiar stories. I know a little of Timothy Hurley's life (very little) and was amused to find some tie-ins between his life and the stories. Highly readable and very quick -- I read the entire collection in 2 days. Stories are all pretty short, which makes it a good collection to pick up and put down when you have a few minutes to fill and don't want to delve into a longer read.
September 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this hilarious collection of anecdotes! Infusing a touch of the human spirit into the unpredictable merriment of everyday life, Dr. Hurley manages to make you laugh out loud and yet stop and ponder life at the same time. In between giggles, I was able to glimpse a sensitive man who loves his wife and doesn't forget to stop and smell the roses, while expertly weaving tales that bring a smile to the lips of those fortunate enough to read his work. Kudos to Dr. Hurley!
January 26, 2015
I'm the author. Of course I liked it. The question is do you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews