The Mighty Currawongs: & Other Stories

by Brian Doyle

A collection of headlong tales by Oregon author Brian Doyle exploring such riveting and peculiar topics as chess in the Levant, tailors who specialize in holes, how to report stigmata to your attending physician, the intense hilarity of basketball, how to have a bitter verbal marital fight in your car, an all-Chinese football team in Australia, soccer and Catholicism, what it's like to be in a ska band, a singing Korean baker, an archbishop who loses his faith between the salad and the entree, genius Girl Scouts who save a radio station, and a baby born from a lake in Illinois. And some other fascinating stories. Really. Trust us."

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

Hardcover

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

Doyle's essays and poems have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, The American Scholar, Orion, Commonweal, and The Georgia Review, among other magazines and journals, and in The Times of London, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Kansas City Star, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Ottawa Citizen, and Newsday, among other newspapers. He was a book reviewer for The Oregonian and a contributing essayist to both Eureka Street magazine and The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia.

Doyle's essays have also been reprinted in:

* the Best American Essays anthologies of 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2005;
* in Best Spiritual Writing 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2005; and
* in Best Essays Northwest (2003);
* and in a dozen other anthologies and writing textbooks.

As for awards and honors, he had three startling children, an incomprehensible and fascinating marriage, and he was named to the 1983 Newton (Massachusetts) Men's Basketball League all-star team, and that was a really tough league.

Doyle delivered many dozens of peculiar and muttered speeches and lectures and rants about writing and stuttering grace at a variety of venues, among them Australian Catholic University and Xavier College (both in Melbourne, Australia), Aquinas Academy (in Sydney, Australia); Washington State, Seattle Pacific, Oregon, Utah State, Concordia, and Marylhurst universities; Boston, Lewis & Clark, and Linfield colleges; the universities of Utah, Oregon, Pittsburgh, and Portland; KBOO radio (Portland), ABC and 3AW radio (Australia); the College Theology Society; National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation," and in the PBS film Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero (2002).

Doyle was a native of New York, was fitfully educated at the University of Notre Dame, and was a magazine and newspaper journalist in Portland, Boston, and Chicago for more than twenty years. He was living in Portland, Oregon, with his family when died at age 60 from complications related to a brain tumor.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very first thing I noticed was that this author is a natural born storyteller. It is as of je was speaking to you across the table, narrating events he had witnessed or things he had heard. Maybe stories from his past or events in which he had been involved. They simply flowed that well, regardless of the subject.

Sports is a big subject, basketball, soccer, chess, Catholicism gets a few hits, music, but there are two that I found memorable, though I liked and enjoyed most of them. The basketball ones were the ones I liked the least., maybe too much coverage though they are well told. Anyway the two that made the deepest impression on me were, Mr. Oleander and Her Child, shorter ones but they packed a punch.

Good collection of stories, loved the title of the collection and so glad I decided to read these.

ARC from publisher.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, as per usual. A batch of little 2-4 page essays, with the usual amused smirk on his face, and giant depth of feeling underneath.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book of essays! The more I read this author’s work, the more I love his writing. This collection is about all the things and made me laugh, made me cry, made me grateful to be alive and enjoying the gift of such a talented and imaginative author.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A set of well written, but inconsistent short stories by a wonderful writer who died too young. His stories on religion and basketball are wonderful and “The Guest Speaker” about war and Viet Nam is exceptional. This book is not as endearing as his novel “Chicago: A Novel” but I will read more of his work.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I would sit next to this guy in a bar and listen to him tell stories. The end.

A lot of these are short, which I found refreshing and much easier to get through. It's not that they're bad but just that I didn't really care about the subject material, and he didn't MAKE me care. I felt like he wasn't talking to me most of the time.

The chess stories about Elson touched me--to find meaning in the game and connection and life and history. Those were good stories. The rest I could take or leave.

I picked this up because I saw another friend had marked it as "to-read" (hi, Andrea!). I was intrigued by the Oregon writer angle, but most of these stories are written about places elsewhere, so he may live now in Oregon, but he doesn't write much about it. Which I guess is fine, but not what I expected. And the blurb on the back is well-written, to cover the eclectic subjects.

The stories vary between conversational pieces (like telling stories in a bar) and verbose, almost mockingly complex language as the joke (a la O. Henry). Occasionally, as with the chess stories and some others, he blends the mundane and conversational with some sweeping, swirling statements on life and and universe. That's pretty good.

[Jonathan Hiskes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief comet trails of short fiction--3-to-5-page stories that launch an imaginative conceit (e.g., a children's play gone off the rails ...) and explore it quickly before flashing out of sight. Some won't like these fragmentary shards of stories, though they play to Doyle's strengths of playfulness and loose colloquial rants. Standouts are "The Archbishop Loses His Faith" and "Elson Habib, Playing White, Ponders His Opening Move."

[Lewis Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Doyle’s writing for the most part- it reminded me of Tom Robbins- but this was a slow read for such a short book. Partially because his writing is so packed full with insights, and partially because I don’t think I’m the target audience. A catholic, basketball lover in their fifties to seventies would eat this up.

[Doug Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I miss you, Brian Doyle. An early book that I had missed. For me, it is not his finest, though moments of his mastery shine through. I'll take less-than-perfect Doyle prose any day of the week.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I'm generally not easily grabbed by short stories, so I'm always particularly pleased when I find some I like. I'd say these ranged from 3 stars to 5 stars, but a couple of those 5-star stories were just hit right out of the park (e.g., "The Guest Speaker").

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a delightful short story collection of odd, strange, peculiar, quirky, & normal ways of love, friendships, aspirations, and other facets of the human condition that are told in writing that is humorous, sensitive, joyful, poignant, thoughtful, and of which at least one, but more likely more than one, will tug at your heart or make you laugh, so be forewarned if you are drinking at the time you are surprised by a humorous passage you may find yourself snorting out your drink and at other times your laughter will hurt your belly muscles as happened to me. I rate a number of stories 4 & 5 stars and some I’d rate lower, but these too often have passages that are worth 4 & 5 stars; thus, all the stories in this collection are worth reading for the pleasure of the writing, writing that can make you feel the story is being told by a friend or relative sitting at your kitchen table or next to you on your patio, holding a drink, while trying to outdo him- or herself with each story and you find yourself surprised, not with a story that brings a chuckle, but instead with a sweet reflection on love or a poignant rumination on living a good life or a plea to find a better way to resolve conflict; then you’re regaled by a hilarious riff on Mormons & Catholics or by sentences from the telling of a remembrance of an elementary school musical production which should appeal to parents and adults who look back on their family experiences; should even be appealing to those who don’t look back with fondness, and, as for looking back, I think this collection builds on itself with the best stories coming in the latter part of the book, though this is not a reflection on the quality of the stories in the earlier chapters, simply the way I responded to the story collection; regardless, all the stories, which average 2-3 pages, are imaginative, unique expressions of the human condition told tongue-in-cheek, hilariously, and simply straightforwardly; often with a tender heart.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Doyle is a favorite author and I have enjoyed all of his novels and books of essays that come my way. The Mighty Currawongs is no exception. You can imagine my joy when I found out I was a grand prize winner/recipient of a free copy from goodreads.com. The day the book came in the mail I was as excited as Ralphie Parker in Jean Shepard's Christmas Story when at long last his secret decoder ring arrives in his postal box. Did I pick the book up and immediately savor it? Yes and no. Weeks went by; I even received a gentle email reminder asking if I had enjoyed the book and please be sure to write a note on goodreads to give it a rating. The problem is, like all of Doyle's writing, the essays are not necessarily meant to be read in one setting but to be picked up and read again and again. Every time I would think about writing a review, I would pick up the book and start thumbing through it, and time would again stand still. So, thank you goodreads and Red Hen Press for your patience in awaiting a reply. Tonight I picked it up once again and immersed myself in "Elson Habib, Playing Black, Ponders the End Game" and loved it all over again as I read about the love between a young boy and the grandfather who taught his grandson the game of chess. I find Brian Doyle to be a master storyteller. Some stories delight the senses, some make you weep, they are wise, they inspire, they make you want to be a better human being. Yes, I do like the book and unequivocally recommend it. Thank you, Red Hen Press and goodreads.com, from the bottom of my heart.

[Marigold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I bought at a community memorial tribute to Mr. Doyle, held in October 2017. I plan on reading everything he wrote, so I'm glad he was so prolific!

Doyle has a unique voice, sometimes hilarious, sometimes somber, always tender toward the innumerable joys, griefs, challenges and everyday mundane silly frustrating unmissable moments of life. Here we find stories about the joys of basketball, chess, and faith/spirituality - always themes in Doyles' writing. We meet an aging surfer dude who adopts a little boy; a couple having a fight in the car; an archbishop who suddenly loses his faith during a public occasion; Belgian restaurant staff in 1943; a Korean karaoke singer, and many more.

There's always something to find in a Brian Doyle book or story. Read his writing, you'll come away happier.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories reads more like an album with overarching themes than it does a mixed tape with just a bunch of random great songs. Doyle seems to be at his best when he's finding beauty in the simplest of things and drawing out the moment in subtle-yet-delightful humor. And when you overlay that humor with Doyle's ability to be serious and sentimental (the hug between father and son at the end of "The Guest Speaker"), you have no choice but to keep turning page after page.

[Claudia Skelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging book of very short stories by the recently deceased award-winning author in Oregon. Short stories are an unfamiliar genre for me. Although I did not understand the story in every single piece, some made me weep. As noted by a reviewer, they are "well-crafted stories about everyday life." Yes, I agree.

[Rob Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear God, read this book.


Deeply funny, deeply spiritual.


Writing that is really deeply, sharply, exuberantly, and keenly well done. Subliminal storytelling, pithy and enjoyable. Lots of tongue in cheek. Some literal, "If you know what I mean" asides directed at the reader. Folksy, sure, but it sets a tone.

[Ann Thomas]

It's difficult to convey how much I love the author Brian Doyle. These short stories are humorous and irreverent, but at times achingly poignant. I read this collection on a business trip before going to sleep each night, promising that I wouldn't stay up too late, but like a child I kept begging myself for "one more story."

[Kirsten Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting and hopeful collection of short stories. I love his view of the complexities and oddities and commonalities of humans. Read slowly -- there are so many gems in these pages.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

Brian Doyle is an excellent story teller. Love the oddness of his subjects and his sense of humor.

[Vena Meridel · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The elementary school Christmas musical production being on us again like a cougar on a fawn...’
Just the best. Pick it up immediately

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and funny. Doyle is becoming one of my favorite authors.

[Tim Prather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Brian Doyle's writing. I found this collection uneven. Some moving and brilliant, others forgettable. Still glad to have read it for the gems.

[Starry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny short stories from an author I admire. Nice to read a few before bed

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful language in this book; some of these stories are going to stick with me for a long time.

[Emma Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! A great blend of poignancy with laugh out loud humor. Recommending it to lots of folks.

[Dianah (onourpath) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Doyle's second collection of short stories runs the gamut from highly amusing (Four Boston Basketball Stories; Dear Mum; A Note on the Actors; When You're Out of Schlitz, You're Out of Beer), wise (Chauncy Street; The New Bishop; Muirin), heartbreaking (This is the Part Where You Say Something Real; Mr. Kim's Song; The Seventh; Elson Habib, Playing Black, Ponders the End Game), and chilling (Mr. Oleander; The Guest Speaker; In the Cafe Rue de Turenne, Charleroi, Belgium, 1943). Doyle has the uncanny ability to notice the unnameable, the unseen, the unnoticed, and it is a delicious epiphany to slowly uncover his insight. Revisiting a few characters from previous novels (Chicago; Martin Marten), Doyle throws in a welcome nod to former friends we know and love. As always, Doyle's tender treatment of the human condition, with humor and pathos, is exactly what we need.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Doyle has become my favorite living author. This collection does not dissapoint. Hilarious word play, half-page sentennces that prefer being read aloud, and, as usual, I'm pretty sure I come out a better person having read the stories.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful read from Mr. Doyle. Lots of great stories. A couple favorites were "The Guest Speaker" which made my cry and "On Flinging the Dog" which I hope we will do tomorrow and made me laugh.

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My gawd what collection of short stories. Doyle is unique, a light--get it, you'll be glad you did.

[Lukie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, Doyle is at his best when he writes in his distinctive, run-on sentence style where a character's conversational monologue comes full of inventive or hilarious quirks and tangents, and the story, such as it is, tumbles out as rollicking, good-humored but not frivolous entertainment. Many of the stories in this collection are like that. Doyle also has a gift for making life seem magical. Transcendental. (No pun intended.)
If we do not pay close attention to dental engineering, I feel, the terrorists will have won, which is a good example of the way my dad talks, sailing smoothly from the earth into an asteroid field without turn signals, and often laughing so hard at his own narrative that he loses his spleen and has to search under the couch cushions for it, as he tells his granddaughters, who gaze at him in amazement like children gaping at the endless stars. -- from It's All About Teeth, in the End.