Pillowstones

From the author of An Anthropology of Anonymity, Heteronymous Bosh, and Halves come two twisted tales of hope, humor, and love. Pillowstones dissects comedy and death in dazzling new stories of literary fiction from novelist Larry Francis.

Getting to the Punchline lampoons all in its path - including joke-telling itself - as it multifariously chronicles Barry Doblin’s ill-fated return to his much-altered hometown. Along the way, between the lines, this allusive tale satirizes politics, religion, family, beauty and more. James Joyce and Ludwig Wittgenstein are particularly prominent targets. Behind every gag, on every hilarious page, emerges the truth of implausible aspiration.

Life and love and loss predominate Jack and the Box as we track a one-named stranger through a series of enchanted adventures while he tries to right a wrong in an absurd city in which the past is banned.

The two self-contained stories in Pillowstones share a time-honored literary bloodline - both are cautionary tales of doomed salvific missions.

A modern myth is born!
In his latest, Francis has gifted two near-perfect fables to help us through our turbulent times. They give one great and entertaining hope for the future.

Bedtimes stories for grownups!