Book blurb

In Stupid Stories for Tough Times a woodland spirit causes havoc in suburbia; a wayward uncle causes suspicion in the family; a ferocious troll seeks a friend; and Churchill’s statue goes walkabout in Westminster.

In much the same vein as the short stories of W.S. Gilbert, whose oeuvre Crowther knows more about than perhaps anyone else, these tales of life and death are filled with the impossible and the improbable, the ordinary and the absurd. Together these so-called Stupid Stories for Tough Times are a tonic for our times – a search for sense in the strange and baffling times we live in, shot through, as all good stories should be, with humour and observational wit, with purpose, fate and dogs.

My thoughts

Stupid Stories for Tough Times is a collection of short stories, very short stories and a poem. These stories are well observed, filled with tongue in cheek and dark humour.

It opens with The King’s Juggler the story of An a young juggler trying to find a way to make it as a juggler. It’s a story of youthful hope, determination and naivety while trying to navigate a world that is not quite as simple as it seems.

We then have stories of dancing skeletons, a working dog, sprites leading to Troll a sad yet ultimately charming tale of how to make friends and be seen even when you’re your own worst enemy.

The Light Brigade (Re-charged) a response to Brexit from the author comes next. I guess this will be liked depending on whether you agree with the authors stance or not, whether you like the re-working of a well known piece or, indeed, whether you even liked the original poem. Whilst all of this may influence your opinion it’s certainly quite a ride.

After which comes Jasper and here we are treated to a shocking and twisted story with a very warped sense of humour and I’ll apologise now to those who read it and may not like it – yes, I enjoyed immensely!

I felt myself appreciating the stories in the latter part of the book even more. I liked Jake from The Seized Moment for doing his own thing and realising that he didn’t have to be a sheep. Inside Story gave me an interesting perspective on what it’s like to be suddenly set free when you’re neither expecting it nor wanting to be. Indeed, when you’ve been incarcerated for any length of time even if you’re happy to be freed, what must it be like? A Change In The Air made me laugh whilst sending a chill down my spine.

We complete the book with two stories And Afterwards and Happy Ending. And Afterwards was a favourite and for me the best. Sad, you might even say gory, it’s beautifully written with a wonderful sense of hope. Happy Ending was the perfect ending to these not so stupid stories, you know the saying about getting your just deserts? Well there’s nothing like having a sting in the tale!

A terrific set of stories, with wonderful storytelling filled with humour, insight and empathy make this book well worth reading.

Book: Purchased (book subscription from Renard Press)

‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’

WILLIAM MORRIS

Just a note on the book itself which has been published by Hay Press, an imprint of Renard Press. This may be a slim volume but it has been beautifully produced. Look at the photograph above it comes in a gorgeous green cover which, as you can see in the photographs below, fold in and are complimented with a lovely monochrome paper at each end of the book. This is part of why I love indie publishers how they not only bring wonderful stories to the reader but want to produce books that the reader will love not only to read but own. So, as ever, I would urge you if you’re able to support indie publishers by purchasing directly from them and if they have a subscription service consider subscribing to it. Nevertheless, however you are able to, do buy the books and if you enjoyed them remember to leave a review.

Will Dady of Renard Press is the founder of the Indie Press Network which is a great place to find wonderful books from indie publishers and as IPN says on its website it’s –

“ … incredibly important for many reasons, not least for raising the voices of those who have traditionally been neglected. This network was established to harness our collective power, to raise our voices together.”

Information

Published: Hay Press, an imprint of Renard Press | 3rd July 2024 | Paperback | 96pp | ISBN: 9781804471111 | £7.99

Buy: Renard Press | your local bookshop | Hive UK | AmazonSmileUK | your local library

Author: Andrew Crowther is not only the Secretary of the W.S. Gilbert Society, author of the major biography Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the undisputed authority on the life and works of W.S. Gilbert, but is also himself a writer, author of the short novel Down to Earth and a variety of comic plays including Welcome to Paradise, Funny Men and Working Lives. His works seem to share with Gilbert’s a heartfelt belief in the complete nonsensicality of the universe.