Stories to Entertain You... If You Get Bored During an Earthquake

This collection details 27 diverse short stories reflecting the author's lengthy life-experience as an immigrant to the US. The very first story, 'The Slide, ' introduces the reader to life in England in the 40s. Two stories, 'The Sacrifice' and 'The Buttered Biscuit, ' arise from a study of the narratives of ex-slaves compiled in their vernacular by the WPA in 1936-38. Three stories, The Rat, The Necklace, The Tale of the Dog and Sleep, require the reader to suspend their sense of reality. One story, The Landlord's Tale, reflects the author's experience as a real property manager. One tale, 'Obsessions', pays homage to PG Wodehouse, a celebrated English writer of humor. Similar Wodehouse-like stories appeared in the author's first book: 'Stories to Entertain You... If You Get Bored on Your Wedding Night. Relationships are explored in 'The Sport of Love, ' 'A Termination, ' 'At the Dollhouse, ' and 'Cougars, ' the latter involving a woman stealing her friend's beau.One story, 'The Trial of the Century, ' describes the trial of the author's great, great aunt. She was accused of poisoning her husband, fled to America, was extradited under the Ashburton treaty, and tried at the Edinburgh assizes with an unusual verdict. The other crime story in the collection involves poker players discussing the murder of one of their members. The longest story in the book is an update on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew.'