Scott William Foley

Maps and Legends was both a real pleasure and incredibly insightful in a multitude of ways. 

This nonfiction book by Michael Chabon, author of Wonderboys and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, offers a variety of essays that will assuredly please all readers.

That’s not to say that all readers will love each and every one of the essays in this book, though.  However, I know there is something for everyone to appreciate and even learn from in Maps and Legends.

Chabon essentially covers four broad topics in this collection.  He expends great energy discussing trends and personalities in comic books, the art of writing, various aspects of literature, and his own diverse influences and personal background.

Since these are four topics that I’m very interested in as well, I loved almost every single essay. 

Chabon is such an interesting man.  The idea that a Pulitzer Prize-winning author takes the time to lament the death of Will Eisner, acknowledge the brilliance of Howard Chaykin, analyze McCarthy’s The Road, and reveal deeply personal secrets (some even real) from his own life all within one collection, it’s just a pure joy for someone like me to experience.

However, I think the most valuable thing I learned from Chabon in his book is that the term “genre” in literature is not a naughty word.  He analyzes the importance of genre, especially in relation to the short story, and disparages the fact that people’s snobbery towards genre is actively executing the short story.

Furthermore, Chabon is utterly transparent in the essays involving his life, so transparent he even reveals he has lied to us and could be lying at any given moment.  That sort of honesty about deception is a breath of fresh air.

If you’re a fan of comic books, the art of writing, or Michael Chabon himself, I really encourage you to give this book a try.  I think you’ll be pleased with what you read.

I’m extremely excited to now offer bi-monthly installments of :from the Chronicles of Purgatory Station here at www.scottwilliamfoley.com! 

Purgatory Station’s story began with “Freedom’s Resurrection” in my short story collection, The Imagination’s Provocation: Volume I.  It then continued with “Knight Writings” and “Freedom’s Acquiescence” in The Imagination’s Provocation: Volume II.    

Each story will stand alone, but it will also play a role in an epic tale unveiling with each installment. I hope you enjoy!

(Click here to read!)

You can find Bloomington News & Views for the Young at Heart, a free periodical, at virtually any Bloomington-Normal medical facility.  You can also find it at the following locations:

Suds Subaru on the corner of Fort Jesse and Towanda
Busey Bank on Fort Jesse
Kroger on the corner of Landmark and Visa
Commerce Bank on the corner of Towanda and College
Tuffy Muffler on Vernon
Kmart behind Kep’s restaurant on 1AA Drive
Eastland Mall at the main door between JC Penny and Macy’s
Kroger on Oakland Avenue
Schnucks
Jewell-Osco on Veterans Parkway
Borders bookstore
Kroger on Main Street
Bloomington Public Library on Olive Street
Drop Off Laundry on Main Street, across from Kroger

I realize this story may be a little controversial.  If you’d like to share your thoughts on it, feel free to contact me at scottwilliamfoley@gmail.com.

I meant to mention this last week, but finally there’s a new Tobias Wolff book out!  Our Story Begins: New and Selected Stories came out March 25^th.  Wolff is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I believe him a master of the short story.  He mostly writes stories examining the human condition, and they often run the gauntlet from heart-breaking to out-and-out hilarious.  His style tends to be rather understated and concise, so bear that in mind if you’d like to give him a shot.

I hope you’ll check him out.  He really is worth your time and money.

Click here for a link to Amazon.     

If you’d like to read my latest short story, “Duel at the Dual Driveway,” pick up the March issue of Bloomington News & Views For the Young at Heart. 

Charlie Rucka wakes up one morning and notices a heavy snow fell during the night.  Realizing he has quite a shovel job ahead of him, he naturally gets frustrated when he realizes his neighbor’s guest left his car parked at the foot of Charlie’s driveway, thus blocking the snowplow and doubling his work.  He will confront this car owner, and a duel will be inevitable. 

You can find Bloomington News & Views For the Young at Heart, a free periodical, at virtually any Bloomington-Normal medical facility.  You can also find it at the following locations:

Suds Subaru on the corner of Fort Jesse and Towanda
Busey Bank on Fort Jesse
Kroger on the corner of Landmark and Visa
Commerce Bank on the corner of Towanda and College
Tuffy Muffler on Vernon
Kmart behind Kep’s restaurant on 1AA Drive
Eastland Mall at the main door between JC Penny and Macy’s
Kroger on Oakland Avenue
Schnucks
Jewell-Osco on Veterans Parkway
Borders bookstore
Kroger on Main Street
Bloomington Public Library on Olive Street
Drop Off Laundry on Main Street, across from Kroger

If you read it and want to get in touch, feel free to contact me at scottwilliamfoley@gmail.com.

This is Jason Willingham, a self-made millionaire and innovator in the field of digital technology.  He’s also the second husband of Zetta Southerland, Dr. Nekros’ ex-wife.  He and Zetta married eleven years ago when he didn’t have a penny to his name.

Ever the understanding husband, Jason is happy to help his wife try to save Dr. Nekros from impending disaster with the demon Xaphan. 

Jason is featured in the latest Dr. Nekros serial entitled Dr. Nekros: Phantasms and Chicanery.

If you live in the Bloomington-Normal area, make sure you pick up the free magazine Healthy Cells of Bloomington.  In the March issue I wrote the cover story about Advanced MRI. 

Healthy Cells of Bloomington can be found in most grocery stores and medical facilities.