- Paperback: 244 pages
- Publisher: The Boho Press (31 Jan 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1904781012
- ISBN-13: 978-1904781011
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.3 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,541,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
Twenty-three tales bound together by the apocryphal utterances of the Rainbow Man, a strange, misunderstood figure who shows the children of his town how to live in their dreams and nurture their imaginations. The stories range widely, some humorous, some extremely dark, all offering distinctive outlooks on the world, all of them stories, in the full-blooded sense, with beginnings, middles, and ends. They will take you from the war-ravaged wastelands of a Central European dictatorship to the pleasant sun-drenched slopes of a Thai hillside where a Nazi warcriminal hides from his pursuers, to the gloomy concrete wasteland of the South London suburbs where God decides to make a guest appearance, and always back to Ireland, where it's usually raining. Don't think you're going to get off lightly though: these stories require the engagement of the mind, and may permanently affect how you look at yourself and other people.
About the Author
The son of an Irish country GP, David Gardiner has lived in England for several decades, worked as a teacher, handyman, satellite TV installer and mental health carer among many other things, dabbled in almost everything, and wandered the planet in wide-eyed fascination at the things it contains.
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning collection,
By Geoff Nelder "Geoff Nelder" (Chester, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Rainbow Man: And Other Stories (Paperback)
The Rainbow Man is an anthology of coruscating short stories generated by the laconic sayings of a misanthropic loner in the border lands of Ireland. The old man attracted the attention of local children who took away gems of home-spun observations in exchange for food and brightly coloured cloth that contributed to his epithet. The stories vary from humorous, philosophical to shivering noir.
My favourite fantasy story is Knight Errant in which the vivid imagination we all have a child persists with one lad such that a killing and punishment is initially wrongly attributed. Even then the ending has a neat twist made poignant by Gardiner's clever use of having the narrator being the `deranged boy'. All the stories are worthy but the number one for me is Collateral Damage. Cunning flash backs and forwards creates a former soldier's shell shocked (yet in denial) narrative with a shocking finale. Brilliantly told. I've heard David Gardiner read his stories. He has a soft slow Irish lilt that is perfect for story telling. These tales are perfect for reading out loud to a group, or to yourself. They should be on radio.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pride of place on my bookshelf.,
By
This review is from: The Rainbow Man: And Other Stories (Paperback)
For short story lovers, the overdue arrival of David Gardiner’s “The Rainbow Man” has to be the highlight of the publishing year. Some of these tales have already received well-deserved awards and acclaim and to have twenty-three of this natural storyteller’s works in one volume is to possess something quite priceless. The rainbow in the cover scene captures something of the enigmatic nature of the man and his writing, so don’t let the beguiling lead story fool you. Following on are tales as diverse as the Rainbow Man’s attire. Be prepared to find some that challenge conventional beliefs and thinking – stories that will haunt your consciousness long after you read the closing line. If, like me, you insist on stories that are truly original, have a decent plot and are peopled by interesting believable characters, then you must get acquainted with “The Rainbow Man.” Mr. Gardiner’s book will have pride of place on my bookshelf, but it won’t gather dust there – the magical quality of its contents ensure that this excellent anthology will be read again and again.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my top ten most underrated authors,
By Kristin J. Johnson "Three-time published author" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Rainbow Man: And Other Stories (Paperback)
James Joyce meets Ray Bradbury in David Gardiner's collection of tales wrapped in the imaginings of children who hear a Cassandra/Wandering Jew-type sage mutter such things as "Ye know the trouble with youse northerners, your memories is too bloody long!" A lovely rainbow full circle of Rosamunde Pilcher-esque stories of finding belonging and truth. Through the prism of Gardiner's lens, angels, rain and light combine to create the Rainbow Man's remarkable bag of wisdom that adults and children alike need to open.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Rising Star In The World of Fiction!,
By Robert Anthony Montesino "Speculative Fiction... - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Rainbow Man: And Other Stories (Paperback)
I had the pleasure to read "The Rainbow Man & Other Stories" recently and from beggining to end each story was compelling & unique. This author engages a readers mind & leaves them with a perception of the world they didn't have before. David Gardiner is a gifted writer with a storytellers heart! His stories will shock you, other times make you laugh, always make you think but most of all they will take you out of your head and throughly entertain you! In short "The Rainbow Man" is a fantastic read I'm sure you will enjoy, I did! I recommend this collection without reservation.
Robert Anthony Montesino Editor Speculative Fiction Centre Author of "Mind Monsters Collection" |
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