The
Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan
by
Steve Wiley
Genre:
Fantasy
"Intelligent,
Enchanting, Playful" ~ Publishers Weekly
Warning:
Content may be deemed offensive by Polish Indians, vice presidents of
something, my wife, Finbar Finnegan's wife, LinkedIn, little kids who
think this book is for little kids, Thumbelina, Brown Liners,
mermaids, and the wind.
Growing
up and getting trapped in adult life is something that most people
eventually face, but while reading The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca
Finnegan, a charming and magical book by Steve Wiley, it is almost
possible to forget about the inexorable progress of time. With a main
character who is teetering on the edge of forgetting about magic
forever, this novel is a touching and thought-provoking ride through
nostalgia, memory and the promises of youth. Wiley's sharp,
tongue-in-cheek style of writing makes the pages fly and the Chicago
skyline makes a stunning backdrop for this mystical romp.
In
Chicago, a secret L train runs through the mythical East Side of the
city. On that train, you’ll find a house-cat conductor, an
alcoholic elf, a queen of the last city farm, the most curious wind,
and an exceptional girl by the name of Francesca Finnegan.
When
we first encounter Richard K. Lyons, he is a man who has long
forgotten the one night, when he was still a boy called Rich, when
Francesca invited him aboard the secret L for an adventure through
the East Side. The night was a mad epic, complete with
gravity-defying first kisses, mermaid overdoses, and princess
rescues. Unfortunately for Rich, the night ended like one of those
elusive dreams forgotten the moment you wake. Now, Rich is all grown
up and out of childish adventures, an adult whose life is on the
verge of ruin. It will take the rediscovery of his exploits with
Francesca, and a reacquaintance with the boy he once was, to save
him.
Half
of the proceeds from this book are donated to Chicago Public Schools.
For more information, visit fairytalechicago.com.
Steve
is a father, husband, uncle, brother, friend, and purveyor of fairy
stories. He grew up in and around Chicagoland, where he still lives
with his wife and two kids. He has been published in an array of
strange and serious places, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in
Washington, D.C., to Crannóg magazine in Galway, Ireland. The
Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is his first book. He has an
undergraduate degree in something he has forgotten from Illinois
State University and a graduate degree in something equally forgotten
from DePaul University. Steve once passionately kissed a bronze
seahorse in the middle of Buckingham Fountain. Seriously, he did.
