The Horse in My Garage and Other Stories - Hardcover

McManus, Patrick F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620870649 ISBN 13: 9781620870648

Publisher: Skyhorse, 2012

Synopsis

The Horse in My Garage and Other Stories is a hilarious addition to Patrick F. McManus’s existing work in humor. The author weighs in on his childhood, everyday life, and outdoor tales with his typical exaggerated commentary that will elicit a belly laugh from all types of readers.
Read about the antics of Patrick’s friends Rancid Crabtree and Retch Sweeney in such stories as “Shaping Up for the Hunt” and “Bear Hunters.” McManus plays off the recent obsession with hoarders in his surprising story “The Lady Who Kept Things.” In the titular story, meet Patrick’s horse, Huckleberry, and enjoy the experience of all the problems that come along with owning your own horse—or keeping him in the garage.

Other great stories include:

• “Catch-And-Eaters,” about the importance of a forked stick when fishing
• “$7000 TV Historical Extravaganza,” a look at one director’s loose interpretation of historical accuracy and political correctness
• “A Lake Too Far,” concerning the woes of Patrick and his wife, Bun, on a fateful birding trip in Australia
• “Chicken Chronicles,” which involves Patrick’s memory of wandering around naked in the chicken yard when guests came to call

So pull up a chair, sit back, and enjoy laughing to the hilarious adventures of Patrick F. McManus in The Horse in My Garage and Other Stories.

About this title

About the Author

Patrick F. McManus is a humor writer who began writing as an undergrad at Washington State University. Hundreds of his humor articles have been published in magazines such as Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. He has published more than a dozen humor books, several mysteries, and a children’s humor book. Among his recent works are The Tamarack Murders, The Horse in My Garage, Kerplunk!, and The Huckleberry Murders.

Reviews

Here’s McManus’ latest collection of previously published material, including his first piece of published fiction, a witty short story with an O. Henry ending that most readers will see coming but that probably seemed quite a bit fresher back in 1957, when he wrote it. The nonfiction pieces—you have to use quotation marks when you talk about the author’s humorous writing—include tales about fishing, hunting, birding, and other manly pursuits (yes, bird-watching, according to McManus, is a manly pursuit). McManus’ friend Retch Sweeney puts in a few appearances, as does his magnificently monikered mentor, Rancid Crabtree, and the author’s darling wife, Bun, who, for some reason, expresses doubt that McManus’ distinctly unathletic appearance hides the rock-hard body of a world-class athlete. (Whose? Bun replies.) Like Garrison Keillor, McManus writes about people and situations that, even if they are made up, are so vividly and entertainingly presented that they might as well be real. For the author’s many fans, and for lovers of humorous essays in general, this one is a must-read. --David Pitt

Edition details

• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1620870649
• ISBN 13: 9781620870648
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224