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Fables & Foibles shows what an impressive array of believable, attractive characters can accomplish when they try and, sometimes, what they might succeed in doing even when not trying.
Howard Jarmy has a way of uncovering unique approaches to life’s situations and problems, and his writing about them makes you stop, think, and ask, “Why not?”
The Fables show characters at their most innovative, thinking creatively. Even in matters of everyday routine, they are apt to say and do things out of the ordinary.
The Foibles, in contrast, show what might happen should those characters go off track.
These brief, often fanciful pieces of unrestrained imagination, and sometimes the far-fetched, are thought provoking, often amusing, sometimes warm and tender. They can be read and reread with pleasure.
Among the eighty pieces in Fables & Foibles are those concerning Greek Gods, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Shakespeare, Salesmen, Dancers (tango, go-go and belly), Engineers, Musicians, Commuters,
Do-Gooders, Inventors, Islanders, Detectives, Ghosts, Dreamers, Pumpkin farmers, Royalty, Elephants, Hummingbirds, Dogs, Monkeys, and the month of February.
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Reviews:
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“What a pleasure to be in the presence of sly, unbridled wit. Jarmy lets his imagination fly off to the land where almost anything is possible and almost everything is funny. The humor works because he gives a deadpan delivery of the absurd. Few authors can write successful humor, but Jarmy can.”
...Pam Walatka
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"How about the story of Sam “Hot Fingers” Perkins who while strumming idly one day discovered a fabulous new combination of notes: Sullivan’s lost chord? Hot Fingers’ subsequent ascent to stardom is covered in mock documentary style, complete with the stereotypical media interviews about the moment of discovery. If you are up to that, you may be ready for more outrageous stories, all told in deadpan style."
... Roy W. Latham
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"Not many engineers write short stories in their retirement years, but then Howard Jarmy’s life has been full of surprises. Ranging in subject matter from the story which relates the fantastic flying adventures of a frustrated commuter, to stories told by women narrators, very old narrators and downright surreal narrators, Jarmy demonstrates a wide-ranging curiosity about the human condition and a never-failing sense of humor. His zest for life, no matter how difficult it gets, comes through loud and clear."
...Carolyn Barnes
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"Inventive, absurd tales, all from the imaginative and gifted author, Howard Jarmy. He offers us a wonderfully hilarious book. . What a gem. The book is filled with easily-read, often endearing tales that cover the gamut of possible themes. Jarmy tickles us with takeoffs on the Princess and the Pea, Red Riding Hood, an adventure story loaded with purposely-planted clichés, the secret life of a belly dancer, murderous sweet peas, the oldest man in the world, and one about a frugal suburbanite with garbage problems."
...Don DeNevi
- "Fables & Foibles Stories and
Essays, by Howard Jarmy, is a short story collection about characters whose everyday lives are filled with unique aspects. For some, their tale is a fable, in which they use a creative mind to solve problems. On the other hand, life is best described as a foible, or the result of getting off track when plans go awry.
"In 'About Sunsets.' Zeus and other gods are considering a course of action relating to the natural progression of a normal day. Should they have complete light all the time? Perhaps an everlasting night is the solution? The resulting conversations are both amusing as well as thought-provoking. I found it interesting Zeus would bother asking the opinion of mythological beings rather than just making the decision himself. After all, he is the most powerful Greek God there is.
"'How I Found Love' examines a modern dilemma. What does one do when it comes to dealing with traffic? Obviously, people could find ways of getting from place to place besides using their cars. This would be entirely too simple. Jarmy gives his lead character a truly novel idea - a gigantic slingshot. A background in physics might have helped, for propulsion sends the poor man into the airspace of two jets. Whoops!
"'Lies' focuses on a small untruth gone amok. A woman shaves a few years off her age, in order to make her sweetheart think he's older. After they get married, she maintains the falsehood. What, then, does she do when it comes time for her to take early retirement? The actual difference in age between husband and wife was not much. Personally, I think I would have kept my correct age and let any significant other walk out the door if he has a problem with it.
"Since my town will have local elections before too long, 'Confusion On The
Coast' hit a chord with me. When stones are thrown at a group of birds, a firestorm is released. One woman in particular, Miss Mathilda, is quite vocal in her displeasure. Now then, there is a bit more to the story than one person's words, of course, but that fails to stem the tide of public opinion.
"'Mrs. Henwattle's Case' is a classic tale with a twist. An affair between two married people gives way to a severe lapse in sanity. The indignation in the main female voice is clearly felt as one reads this story. However, I wanted to conk this woman with a baseball hat. Where was her brain? The private detective should have thrown her out on her ear once he heard her story.
"In keeping with the season, 'Pumpkinmania' will bring every reader a smile. Those familiar with the contests at a county fair are going to recognize the competitive spirit between the two main characters. A twist at the end makes this tale even more enjoyable.
"Jarmy is clever enough to put his short story titles in alphabetical order. While it might have helped if they had been separated into sections by "Fables" or Foibles", there is something for all to enjoy."
...Nancy Gail
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