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The Weatherman: 4 Contemporary Fantasy Stories
Tom Timmins, Channel 9’s evening meteorologist, is in a slump. No matter how hard he tries, his forecasts are so far off the station begins to lose viewers, and that’s not good for anyone. Suddenly, Tom finds himself without a job, sitting at home on the couch, seething in anger at his replacement, John Manning, who also happens to have perfect hair and a wonderful smile.
One night, after too many drinks, Tom mindlessly scribbles a 7-day forecast with an absurd Thursday that has no chance at being right. He sends it to John Manning in drunken mockery and forgets about it. Until Thursday comes, and Tom realizes that he had not been wrong a single day, not even by one degree. The meteorologist who was so bad he couldn’t keep his job now can’t miss. Tom will soon learn the secret behind his newfound ability.
The stories of The Weatherman bring ancient myths into the modern world. These are stories of self-discovery and relationships between fathers and sons, and the unique bond that draws them together.
One night, after too many drinks, Tom mindlessly scribbles a 7-day forecast with an absurd Thursday that has no chance at being right. He sends it to John Manning in drunken mockery and forgets about it. Until Thursday comes, and Tom realizes that he had not been wrong a single day, not even by one degree. The meteorologist who was so bad he couldn’t keep his job now can’t miss. Tom will soon learn the secret behind his newfound ability.
The stories of The Weatherman bring ancient myths into the modern world. These are stories of self-discovery and relationships between fathers and sons, and the unique bond that draws them together.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2021
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bergman
12 books17 followersMichael Bergman is a husband, dad, foster dad, and author of books for kids and adults, including The Secret Baker and his collection of stories Of Stars and Space. He writes from his home in Missouri where he lives with his wife, son, and foster children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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March 3, 2022
“You’re not predicting the weather, Tomas. You’re controlling it. You get that from your grandfather.”
What began as a seemingly simple tale of a disgruntled weatherman fresh out of a job morphed into a tale of fatherhood, relationships, growing up, familial complexities, fantasy and mythology all rolled into one!
What began as a seemingly simple tale of a disgruntled weatherman fresh out of a job morphed into a tale of fatherhood, relationships, growing up, familial complexities, fantasy and mythology all rolled into one!
July 19, 2023
Start Believing The Weatherman
This fabulous little novella had me hooked from the very start.
Coming out at a total of 65 printed pages (or 43 if you opt for the Kindle edition, which I did), The Weatherman is described as 'four contemporary fantasy stories.' I guess this is right, but it has a major connecting arc that, in my opinion, turns it into one overall story told in four chapters.
I love how the book came about. Author Michael Bergman says he was suffering a bout of writer's block, and his wife gave him a story prompt to try: "Write a story about a meteorologist who is terrible at his job. He stops trying and then suddenly starts making perfect forecasts." From that little acorn, this wonderful, not to be missed tale, grew.
No plot spoilers from me, but I can say the main character is the seemingly hapless Tom Timmins, whose grandfather wants to kill him. You'll flip when you discover the reason, as the story rolls ancient mythology into Tom's modern life as his weather forecasts go from being way off the mark, to absolutely on the button - even correctly predicting a day of snow in the middle of a warm and sunny week.
Well written, with a combination of crisp flowing action and dialogue, this is a real page-turner, and thoroughly deserves the five stars I've given it.
This fabulous little novella had me hooked from the very start.
Coming out at a total of 65 printed pages (or 43 if you opt for the Kindle edition, which I did), The Weatherman is described as 'four contemporary fantasy stories.' I guess this is right, but it has a major connecting arc that, in my opinion, turns it into one overall story told in four chapters.
I love how the book came about. Author Michael Bergman says he was suffering a bout of writer's block, and his wife gave him a story prompt to try: "Write a story about a meteorologist who is terrible at his job. He stops trying and then suddenly starts making perfect forecasts." From that little acorn, this wonderful, not to be missed tale, grew.
No plot spoilers from me, but I can say the main character is the seemingly hapless Tom Timmins, whose grandfather wants to kill him. You'll flip when you discover the reason, as the story rolls ancient mythology into Tom's modern life as his weather forecasts go from being way off the mark, to absolutely on the button - even correctly predicting a day of snow in the middle of a warm and sunny week.
Well written, with a combination of crisp flowing action and dialogue, this is a real page-turner, and thoroughly deserves the five stars I've given it.
April 12, 2023
Beautiful, imaginative and captivating
I intended to read each story of this anthology over a period of several days, but I could not put this down once I started to read it. It is a wonderful anthology of beautifully written short stories full of imagination and wonder and a retelling of some old mythologies.
I intended to read each story of this anthology over a period of several days, but I could not put this down once I started to read it. It is a wonderful anthology of beautifully written short stories full of imagination and wonder and a retelling of some old mythologies.
May 1, 2021
I loved how the story started off playful and humorous. It made me connect to the main character, Tommy. Then the surprise elements hit and I want to know more about how he will react. The plot unfolds quickly and moves fast. The author is a talented writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2021
Quick Read
This was a nice, quick read that I enjoyed very much. I almost wish it was longer so that I could enjoy it more! I don't want to give anything away, but I love the demigod angle and really enjoyed the read. I recommend picking this up if you're looking for a nice afternoon.
This was a nice, quick read that I enjoyed very much. I almost wish it was longer so that I could enjoy it more! I don't want to give anything away, but I love the demigod angle and really enjoyed the read. I recommend picking this up if you're looking for a nice afternoon.
December 22, 2022
A fired weatherman who can't let go and finds himself on a perfect streak for his weather predictions but can this be chance or is something bigger afoot? This collection of 4 short stories build into a story which captures ancient myth and modern day living to create a storming great book that will leave you looking for more from this author.
August 4, 2022
Refreshing and very original! Fantasy and sci-fi are not really my thing, but these four short stories take place in a contemporary setting with a very unique, unexpected twist that make them part of the fantasy genre. I enjoyed The Weatherman! A quick and fun read.
June 13, 2022
I love the style of these stories. It feels like the narrator is during across the table from me telling me his story. A great short interlocking collection to get lost in for an evening.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews