The Magic Laundry

by Jacob M. Appel

What would you do if your daughter returned home from college with a stolen baboon? If you owned a public laundry and the washing machines started performing miracles? If you were a flasher and discovered that your intended target had gone blind? Enter the odd, unsettling universe of Jacob M. Appel's stories....

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

**Please note: A limited number of complimentary electronic copies of several of my books are available for review. Please email me directly if you are interested**

Jacob M. Appel's first novel, The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up, won the Dundee International Book Award in 2012. His short story collection, Scouting for the Reaper, won the 2012 Hudson Prize. He has published short fiction in more than two hundred literary journals including Agni, Conjunctions, Gettysburg Review, Southwest Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, and West Branch. His work has been short listed for the O. Henry Award (2001), Best American Short Stories (2007, 2008), Best American Essays (2011, 2012), and received "special mention" for the Pushcart Prize in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013.

Jacob holds a B.A. and an M.A. from Brown University, an M.A. and an M.Phil. from Columbia University, an M.S. in bioethics from the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College, an M.D. from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, an M.F.A. in creative writing from New York University, an M.F.A. in playwriting from Queens College, an M.P.H. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He currently practices psychiatry in New York City.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is another very fine collection of short stories by Appel. Most of the tales are firmly rooted in reality, yet all contain just a dash of magic. Sometimes the magic is nothing more than a new appreciation for life, but what could be more enchanting than that?

Some of my favorites were:

Natural Selection - in which a "liberated" baboon causes problems for a Darwin biographer.

The Ataturk of the Outer Boroughs - where we meet a locksmith who unites a neighborhood of immigrants to stop the construction of a hockey arena, though his secret goal is to win the favors of an attractive attorney with a chest like the Himalayas.

The House Call - which explores a very unusual doctor/patient relationship.

And my absolute favorite:

Exposure - The first line made me laugh out loud -

Wednesdays and Saturdays are my days off at the pharmacy, but Saturdays my wife is off too, so I do my flashing on Wednesday afternoons.

Turns out, this one is NOT about photography, but a man best described as a "revenge flasher" - he exposes himself only to those to whom he bears old grudges. (And to think some of us just send unsolicited magazine subscriptions or dozens of pizzas . . .)

There was also a chuckle in the third line with this:

. . . a urologist named Littlecock

Snort! Hey, give me a penis joke and I'm set for the day.

All of the stories here are wonderful and highly recommended.
I honestly can't wait for more.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have probably said this before, but Jacob M Appel has the best opening lines of any author I have ever read. They are lines that grab you, then just reel you in until you are totally immersed in the story.

'For several topsy-turvy years after my husband abandoned me to middle-age, I had cancer on Mondays and Thursdays.'

Appel's stories feature the odd and are sometimes unsettling, but always absorbing. What would you do if your daughter came home with a baboon she had liberated from an experimental laboratory?

He draws on his experience in the medical/psychiatric field to provide that extra insight, that extra quirkiness. Some, but not all, are medically themed, but all are delightful.

I credit Jacob with bringing me back to the appreciation of the short story after a few bad encounters had disinclined me to read any more of them.

Thank you Jacob for another entertaining and absorbing read. I am looking forward to your next offering.

A copy of The Magic Laundry was provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Nancy D Miz-Firefly aka Sparky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is nothing short of amazing. My eyes misted up several times, a couple of the stories made me genuinely angry. And often it made me laugh. With great humor and a lot of wisdom "The Magic Laundry" takes an honest look at the human condition. What really makes people tick. How we deal with adversity and what pushes us to reach above our comfort level. Jacob Appel dives straight into the human psyche and doesn't white wash anything. Quirky Heartfelt No Holds Bared. The Magic Laundry made me look at a lot of things from my own life in a different light. None of us are as ordinary as we think we are.

[Kim Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was provided as a gift from the author. Awesome, dark, humor, interesting. The short stories are terrific; I look forward to reading this author.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of wonderful and creative short stories by this author. My favorite is "The Empress of Charcoal" in which a man years later tries to connect with a woman he watched model for an art class in college. He's not even sure if it's the same woman or if she will be willing to meet him. It's a great story. Check this book out for an entertaining read.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what else I can say about Appel's short stories. I've read all of his collections to date and they are all equally stunning and magnificent.

The stories are character driven stories, generally between a man and a woman (but not necessarily romance oriented) and beautifully written. The endings leave you with a conclusion, but also the opportunity to make up in your own mind how the story continues or ends beyond that. They are open ended but have an ending, if that makes sense. Very well done by Appel.

Pick up any of his short story collections, you will no be disappointed if you enjoy inter-personal relationship stories with a tone that can range from sad, melancholic, absurd to humorous. The collections have them all!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob M. Appel’s collection of short stories is interesting and thought provoking. His bio page tells the reader that this collection is based upon his “work as a psychiatrist in New York City”, which intrigued me immediately. Fiction culled from real life experiences has a gripping realism that brings the reader into the story immediately. This is instrumental to the success of a short story and Appel does it masterfully.

My reviews of short stories have historically been a brief comment about each one as well as my thoughts. I see no reason to change so below are my musings about a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Magic Laundry

Natural Selection: Descendants of Darwin (yes, THAT Darwin) are harboring a missing monkey. Will the free spirit of a 20-year-old be crushed by the reality of life? Her father is torn between helping her and getting that ape out if his house before the authorities or neighbors find out he is harboring a fugitive.

Enoch Arend’s One Night Stands: Over two years have passed since Alex’s wife died. It was time for him to move on, but how and where was he going? He began with a bereavement group and ended up working his way back to himself. Was the end of the journey the important part? You decide – I have and was satisfied with my conclusion.

The Ataturk of the Outer Boroughs: Omar the locksmith took to local politics like a duck to water. His transformation from shopkeeper to activist was born from the attention of a beautiful woman. Will Omar sink or swim when the issue is laid to rest?

I loved this short story. Appel’s ability to write literary prose without pretention is evident throughout this book, but especially in this story. The pictures painted with his words pulled me into the Turkish locksmith shop and took me on the journey with Omar.

Exposure: An odd man – pharmacist most days, flasher on his days off is the star of this tale. He is quirky and a little bit funny. The women he flashes are hand-picked from his past and I absolutely snickered more than once when he visits Mrs. Sproul.

This story wins my vote for the funniest of the bunch. This does not take away the cleverness of the story or minimalize the quality of Appel’s writing.

The Magic Laundry: Can washing your clothes in a specific machine in a laundromat cure illnesses, mend relationships or ruin someone’s life? Read this and find out. You may just want to purchase your own machine instead of ending up here.

The House Call: Miriam played different roles her entire life. On the stage, as a patient in simulated training for doctors and nurses and even in her “real” life, she lived in the world as a chameleon. Will she ever be Miriam? Does she want to be Miriam? Does she know how to be Miriam?

The Empress of Charcoal: After 40 years, Morton attempts to find the woman that modeled for a class he attended in college. Can he step back in time with the woman he finds?

Animal Control: Most calls to animal control are routine bordering on boring. Until the day a tiger snatches a baby. Reluctantly, Mr. Dipple rides to the rescue. His priorities might be in the right place, the reader can only hope he is an accidental hero.

This story was the perfect end of a great collection of short stories. A bit of a headshake on my part, and a yup, I could just see this story on the evening news with a Barney Fife type of animal control guy shuffling nervously from foot to foot during the interview. Kudos to Appel for his realism and fabulous collection of prose.

Copyright © 2016 Laura Hartman

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Magic Laundry" which I won through Goodreads Giveaways Jacob M. Appel skilfully creates a collection of short stories that looks at the reactions of ordinary people facing unexpected and unusual challenges. The plots range from heartwarming, touching and funny to magical like John Cutter's Laundromat where wishes and miracles become a reality for patrons only to have his expectations fall short when his desire to save the family of the woman he loves undermines his dream of success.

The stories are innovative and unique yet believable; instantly capturing your interest and providing food for thought. In "The Ataturk of the Outer Boroughs" Omur Erdem a locksmith gets caught up in the fire of activism fighting for the rights of shop owners against a developer who wants the land to build a hockey arena only to discover his life will never be the same again. In "Natural Selection" a father must make a tough decision in saving his daughter from being arrest when she brings home a stolen baboon from her college, and in "Animal Control" a mundane "civil service lackey" weighs his options between saving an escaped tiger or the baby it holds hostage in a tree.

Masterfully Jacob captures the humor of a quirky pharmacist in "Exposure" who finds healing from his addiction to flashing specific women in his past, not from his therapist but from an encounter with eighty year old Mrs. Sproule his teacher in the fifth grade. Yet in the same breath his prose touches your heart in "The Empress of Charcoal" when a misdirected letter written by a man searching for a woman in his past brings together two lonely people missing their dead spouses, and in "The House Call" Miriam Littman finds healing from her loss when she reconnects with a former medical student from her past when she acted as a patient in a simulated training environment for doctors and nurses.

I thoroughly enjoy Jacob M. Appel's style of writing, his clever and realistic plots that are filled with multi-faceted and unforgettable characters. "Magic Laundry" his latest award winning collection of stories captivates you from beginning to end and I intend to read more by this talented author in future.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all the stories in this book, but I'll never really be finished with it. Anyone who's read a Jacob M. Appel short story understands what I'm saying. ANYWAY, today I reread, The Magic Laundry, the short story. I'm perplexed; I did not remember this ending. Of course, not surprised I didn't remember, and, not surprised how abruptly and not predictable the ending was. This is Jacob's wonderful style. You're reading merrily along, then, WHAM, the story ends and you're like wtf just happened?!
I realize that the reader can imagine their own ending, but what do other's think? Was Katrin a dream, or was Jeff's relationship with her a dream? Were the washers in the Magic Laundry really magical?
When Jeff washed Katrin's clothes while she slept, did he "wash" her away too? Ahhhhhh, so much fun, so many possibilities. Such agony.
Tell me what you think.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! (Is there a way to give partial stars?)

I won this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I was not familiar with this author before and I thought that the description of the short story collection sounded a little strange and cheesy, but I saw that he's an award-winning fiction writer, so I went for it.

I'm so glad I did! Each story has an instantly intriguing premise and delivers engaging plots and characters that are immediately interesting and satisfying, while maintaining believability. I found myself loving the characters in spite of their flaws. Stories present unique scenarios, but in an authentic way.

I am an Appel fan!

[Craig Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner of a short story collection from this author.
Again, as in his stories I've read in the past, there was always an odd theme at the base of each story that served the reader well to draw one into the world of the characters presented.
From lost loves to mis-remebered pasts, each of the stories work well to entertain and cause one to think about 'what if'.

Disclosure: I received this book from a Goodreads give-away.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny, quirky collection of short stories that will have you thinking long after the final sentence! Mr. Appel takes somewhat normal everyday characters and puts them in nutty situations that makes the reader wonder what they would do if they were in that same predicament. Mr. Appel I thank you for this complimentary copy and I am looking forward to reading another book of yours. You are a very unique writer.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner of a short story collection from this author.
THE MAGIC LAUNDRY is superb. I enjoyed reading the different stories that are of the writers imagination. Thank you for sharing your work with me!
I am already a big fan of Jacob Appel.
Thank you for sharing your work with me!
I thank you for this complimentary copy and I am looking forward to reading another book of yours. You are a very unique writer.

[Michelle Carrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me laughing so hard I was in tears!

[Tikri /Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of Appel's quirky short stories. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

[SoulSurvivor · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I feel my tires are going off the road , I pick up a Jacob Appel book and it plunges me over the guardrails and down the bank . Loved it !

[Tracey Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mix of short stories that examine human behavior and do not always end the way you would expect.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Jacob M. Appel’s EINSTEIN'S BEACH HOUSE a few months ago, I did so in one day and was unable to put it down – and reviewed it. Immediately I ordered more of this writer’s books and was determined to not gulp the stories down like an addict. But this was my second book to read of his, and I had high expectations.

THE MAGIC LAUNDRY is superb. He is incredibly talented, and the stories firmly fill their own spot in literature. Short stories for many are filler between novels, biblio-therapy (a rather inane, popular term these days), ‘froth and bubble,’ or an irony fix. For me they have a fine niche in my reading world, and some writers have perfected the form and are comfortable in this genre. Jacob M. Appel is unique in his ability in finely-honed voice in each story, seemingly improbable and yet utterly believable scenarios even with baboons and tigers, engagement of drawing the reader immediately in – often with a joint vulnerability with a character or characters, and a perfect wit that ranges from rural animal control officer to wry, ruminating professor. He takes chances and they work. Maybe it is natural for a reader to expect a certain ending to a story based on previous works. Don’t with his stories. Just savor and experience.

When I read the first story in this collection (‘Natural Selection’), after not having read his writing for a few months, I was unguardedly unprepared for what came in its conclusion. I could not read another story for a few days as this one shadowed me until I could let it go. Then I returned. My pace this time was one story at a time, no more than one a day – on purpose. Again that word: savor. I savored every story. Three more purchased books await me on the shelf (and one more on order). Rather than inhale them in a frenzy of reader obsession, I will attempt to continue this pace. Make them last.

This book is compact, a “mere” eight stories of such quality that it is more than enough. I look forward to buying his future publications. But I have four books ahead, reach for the next one, and thank Jacob M. Appel for publishing them.

[Phyllis Gauker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The predicaments these ordinary people find themselves in is extraordinary. You hope you will never be confronted with having to make a decision involving anything similar to what we read here. But you never know. And as you read, you second guess. When you don't like the attitude of the character, you feel condemnatory! Then in the next story, when you commiserate but still don't like the outcome, you are able to distance yourself, "well, it was just a story." But I read the blurb at the end of the book, that Dr Appel had gotten these ideas from his work as a psychiatrist, and hoped the readers would empathize and really try to feel what the characters might be feeling. His stories usually have sufficient number of characters that you will be able to feel the conflicting emotions, sometimes through past time, and not the present, and be able to really get "into" it. Judging from my own reactions, I will tell prospective readers that you may be in for some surprise endings, ones that you would not have chosen had you been the author. But isn't that life? I received a free copy of this and several other of Dr Appel's books by contacting him by email, in exchange for an honest review. I have not been disappointed in any of the half dozen books by Dr Appel I have read. Get some!

[Laura Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the different stories that are of the writers imagination. Mr. Appel is a psychiatrist who also holds many other degrees. So with that he writes based off 0f experiences. Everyone of Jacob Appels books keep you pulled in to the stories and are very easy to imagine how the story plays out. He writes with a passion that is truly hard to find in many writers these days. In a world where time is a commodity, these stories are short enough that you can read them as fast or as slow as you wish. Each story has a great ending that will keep you wanting more. The magic Laundry is a book that you should definitely read and then re read them again. It seems that every time I read his stories I gain more insight into what Mr. Appel is trying to convey. These short stories are amazing and worthy of your time and full attention. Once I started reading these stories I found it hard to put them down. It did not take me long to read the entire book and I am not a very fast reader.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a fan when I read the short story collection "Einstein's Beach House", and this collection solidified my position as a follower! This anthology is supposed to make you ponder what you would do in similar circumstances, and while I can't imagine myself in these particular situations, to some degree I found myself wondering. The subjects of these stories we quite varied; we have a daughter bringing home from college a stolen baboon, a couple who meets at a group grief meeting, a man seeking acceptance through social discord, a flasher set on revenge, a coin-laundry with machines apparently infused with magical powers, cancer and the loss of a son, a long overdue meeting, and the abduction of a baby by a tiger... but there are twists to each tale! What would you do? Pick up a copy and decide for yourself... you'll be glad you did!

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

XX I received a free paperback copy of this collection of short stories as a Goodreads Giveaway from Jacob M. Appel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for sharing your work with me!

I am already a big fan of Jacob Appel. This collection of short stories just solidified my admiration. The Magic Laundry contains some fantastic stories, ones that ride with you for a time after the book is closed. This is the best collection I have read in years.

I was not able to post a review on B&N

[Suki · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

Another great collection of short stories. Appel never fails to amuse, entertain, and sometimes appall. His stories are full of relatable characters who seem perfectly normal at first glance, but then get thrown by a sudden twist. It all seems completely plausible, even when highly improbable.

Summary: Highly recommended to lovers of short stories and quirky humans.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on LibraryThing, in exchange for a fair review. Cross-posted on GoodReads, LibraryThing and Amazon.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Jacob Appel offers us a fascinating array of stories about fascinating people faced with extraordinary circumstances. These stories present characters who are unique, interesting, and fully fleshed out. His writing is as usual stellar and here the premises are intriguing. The characters as always are interesting, and these stories leave you thinking. I particularly love his endings, which pack emotional and plot punches.

I will never understand why Appel is not a more well-known author.

Thank you to the author and publisher for a review copy.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am amazed by Jacob Appel's quirky imagination- where does he come up with these? And they are quirky and funny and sometimes (a lot) unbelievable. If you want to be entertained and not care about the ending, this one is for you! I received this from the author. Thank You, Jacob!
3.5 Stars

[Lisa Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this collection of short stories, so much creativity, they really make you think about the strange situations we find ourselves in. I enjoy the mild Jewish flavor, probably because I am Jewish.

[Andrea Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories!

This book is a must read for people who love short stories about everyday people caught in everyday situations. I cried through one story and laughed through another one. I just can't get enough of Jacob Appel's books!

[Sharon]

Enjoyed this small book of stories. I got it in the giveaway. Would recommend these well written quirky stories.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. I really enjoyed all these short stories. Very quick reads and very enjoyable.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said before that I'm not a great fan of short stories and as such, there are very few authors of short stories that I know and trust by name. Jacob Appel is one of them. Which is a bit of a miracle, as I only discovered his writing because I won several of his books through Goodreads. I enjoy that his stories are peopled by diverse and colorful casts, all of whom are flawed but relatable. I like that he doesn't just write for shock value, taking the darkest and therefore easiest path. In this collection, his characters are put in a variety of uncomfortable circumstances and they deal with them with all, some more successfully than others. The writing is clean and easy to read. The editing is sharp and book well worth picking up.