Sayville Tales
by Lawrence Jay Switzer
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Pub Date Jun 30 2018 | Archive Date Sep 12 2019
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Description
Twelve strangers, two ghosts, and the Devil--while sharing a long railroad journey--concoct a storybook of tales and trifles as hours of blank pages unfurl ahead of them. Not since Chaucer's pilgrims hit the road with tongues wagging have travelers had this much babble and gabble to share with their fellow wayfarers. Meanwhile, glimpses of the expansive, crumbling mural referred to as America flash past the windows, and the lies, the truths, and the grandiose exaggerations keep coming on both sides of the glass.
Talk is cheap and tickets are cheaper, but what are the rules? First of all--as your mother often told you--be sure you are wearing clean underwear because anything can happen. Second, recognize that there aren't any rules. It's every passenger for himself.
Sayville Tales is a tragicomic hotchpotch of hot air on wheels. It's also a glimpse of happenstance's possibilities, resembling a roll of vividly imagined wallpaper imprinted with a design that never repeats itself unless it's for a greater effect. The real question is, how could you possibly know what the ride is like if you don't get on the train?
Advance Praise
Sayville Tales by Lawrence Jay Switzer is an intricately crafted piece of literary fiction. It is a novel of short stories, or tales, and each flows and weaves seamlessly into the next. It is brilliantly written prose with a unique and witty style that pulls you in as if listening to a talented and animated oral storyteller.
It is a satirical masterpiece, with many of humankind’s follies and vices on full display. Using derision and caustic wit, the author unveils ugly truths and pulls off a difficult task of personifying the Devil, superbly using the setting of a train ride and its many stops along the way to Hell.
If you are a fan of literary fiction, satire, dark humor, sarcasm, or just plain old-fashioned entertaining storytelling, Sayville Tales will not disappoint.
-- Amazon reviewer 7/19
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780464910664 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 300725
Reading tales is my life's passion and this book proved a true gem.
I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel D, Reviewer
I finally got to read this book of short stories. Each one was excellent. I truly hope this author writes much more. I highly recommend this book.
Alina H, Reviewer
This was the most interesting way to weave multiple tales of satire and magical realism I have ever read personally.
The road trip with the main characters is a delight to behold and their banter is hysterical at times.
The side stories are an array of different experiences from a cast of characters that keeps you pinpointed to the pages. Each story feels like a new book, so you never get bored.
With over 500+ pages, this is NOT a quick read, but it is a fun and fascinating one that leaves you having no qualms about coming back for more every time you must place the book down.
It's a good read for long trips.
Angela K, Reviewer
A very eclectic and odd little grouping of tales, but nevertheless very entertaining to read. Great read!
Tomas G, Reviewer
Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for granting me early access to "Sayville Tales".
I'm currently in the middle of a major move, and will definitely come back at a later time and write out a full review and rating.
Thank you so much!
Paula H, Reviewer
Interesting collection of stories. Some similar to what I've read, some way out there. A bit rude, a bit crude, some I didn't care for, some I loved. Overall I really enjoyed it!
Maria R, Reviewer
Mr. Switzer's Sayville Tales is a book formed from a collection of short stories where each flows in to the next story. Mr. Switzer brings us along a long journey where not only is the reader entranced, but he is also a passenger listening to all of the different stories from the various passengers. I found Sayville Tales to be engaging with some dark and sarcastic humor mixed in. I absolutely loved it, and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Switzer's work. Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this savvy and enjoyable book of many tales.
Michelle H, Reviewer
An extremely entertaining book of weird and wonderful short stories. Each one is as good as the next. A bonkers but brilliant read.
catherine h, Reviewer
This one is on my "to buy soon" list! Rude, crude, and entertaining! Love it! Chapters flow seamlessly into each other and I loved/hated the characters. Devil was just his charming self, just slipping in and playing off whatever was going on and throwing a little oil on the fire to ramp things up. Dark and humorous, not for everyone.
Liliyana S, Reviewer
If you're a fan of The Canterbury Tales, you're going to thoroughly enjoy this book. A unique gathering of storytellers, comprising humans, ghosts, and the devil himself, combine to bring the reader a unique collection of tales. I loved each story, each as unique as its narrator. Switzer did an excellent job of bringing characters and setting to life, drawing the reader in before you really know it's even happening. If you're looking for a unique collection of short stories, then you've found your next read!
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