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Hotel Du Jack
And Other Stories
by Dan Brotzel
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Pub Date
23 Jan 2020
| Archive Date
20 Jan 2020
Description
The exceptional debut short story collection by prize-winning author Dan Brotzel
A woman granted a superpower finds it more trouble than it’s worth. A children’s entertainer wrestles with problems that are nothing to joke about. And a harassed dad attempts to meet the challenge of the primary school cake competition.
These modern tales offer a fresh look at daily struggles with life, death, love and the school run.
The exceptional debut short story collection by prize-winning author Dan Brotzel
A woman granted a superpower finds it more trouble than it’s worth. A children’s entertainer wrestles with problems...
Description
The exceptional debut short story collection by prize-winning author Dan Brotzel
A woman granted a superpower finds it more trouble than it’s worth. A children’s entertainer wrestles with problems that are nothing to joke about. And a harassed dad attempts to meet the challenge of the primary school cake competition.
These modern tales offer a fresh look at daily struggles with life, death, love and the school run.
A Note From the Publisher
Dan Brotzel’s stories have appeared in Pithead Chapel, Ellipsis Zine, Reflex Fiction, Cabinet of Heed, Lucent Dreaming, Bending Genres, The Esthetic Apostle, Spelk, The Ginger Collect and Fiction Pool. He won the 2018 Riptide Journal short story competition, was runner-up in the 2019 Leicester Writes competition, and was highly commended in the Manchester Writing School competition 2018. He is also coauthor of a comic novel-in-emails about an eccentric writers’ group, Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound).
He lives in London with his partner Eve and their three children.
Dan Brotzel’s stories have appeared in Pithead Chapel, Ellipsis Zine, Reflex Fiction, Cabinet of Heed, Lucent Dreaming, Bending Genres, The Esthetic Apostle, Spelk, The Ginger Collect and Fiction...
A Note From the Publisher
Dan Brotzel’s stories have appeared in Pithead Chapel, Ellipsis Zine, Reflex Fiction, Cabinet of Heed, Lucent Dreaming, Bending Genres, The Esthetic Apostle, Spelk, The Ginger Collect and Fiction Pool. He won the 2018 Riptide Journal short story competition, was runner-up in the 2019 Leicester Writes competition, and was highly commended in the Manchester Writing School competition 2018. He is also coauthor of a comic novel-in-emails about an eccentric writers’ group, Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound).
He lives in London with his partner Eve and their three children.
Advance Praise
‘Alive with humour, wit and subtle observations...and, then, when we’re least expecting it, a darkness, a deeper reality,a shadow that creeps up behind and holds up a mirror.’ -Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo
‘Brotzel’s prose style is anarchic and economical. His dialogue fizzesalong brilliantly and he’s genuinely a laugh-out-loud writer, but withsome real pathos and depth to his characters too.’ -C.M. Taylor, author of Premiership Psycho and Staying On
‘Alive with humour, wit and subtle observations...and, then, when we’re least expecting it, a darkness, a deeper reality,a shadow that creeps up behind and holds up a mirror.’ -Christy Lefteri...
Advance Praise
‘Alive with humour, wit and subtle observations...and, then, when we’re least expecting it, a darkness, a deeper reality,a shadow that creeps up behind and holds up a mirror.’ -Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo
‘Brotzel’s prose style is anarchic and economical. His dialogue fizzesalong brilliantly and he’s genuinely a laugh-out-loud writer, but withsome real pathos and depth to his characters too.’ -C.M. Taylor, author of Premiership Psycho and Staying On
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781912240876 |
| PRICE |
£8.99 (GBP)
|
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781912240876 |
| PRICE |
£8.99 (GBP)
|
Average rating from 6 members
Featured Reviews
louisa t, Reviewer
These were funny , but also touching,and sometimes a little bit odd.
For that I truly enjoyed them.
Each seemed to be the perfect length (which I think is a tricky thing in a short story).
Also,I enjoyed the fact so many were family based.
My favourite might be the community forum.... too very true to life.
I think this is going to be a birthday gift for at least one person this year.
Philipa C, Reviewer
There is a certain skill to writing short stories and I have to say as a debut collection Dan Brotzel has it in bucket loads.
This is a contemporary collection with 21st century themes. Brexit, Trump, Alexa and other themes abound, but never does the author skimp on the portrayal of characters.
The first story 'Nothing so Blue' pulls you in on a well trod theme. 'What would your super power be?' but instantly we're engaged with the writing and many other stories similarly take very little time to draw you in, make you laugh, cry or even declare 'Yes that's my life!'
I particularly liked 'Infinite Rainbows' as a commuter for many a year any story with trains and crazy people at stations or in carriages are a mine field of stories.
All manner of life is here- young and old, male and female (he writes well from either sexual perspective) and the angle on modern relationships is great. Perhaps there are one too many involving the trials of parenthood, but then we can mostly all see ourselves in those daily traumas and dilemmas. Family life is always good but the wacky use of Minutes from a Meeting and the trials of Dishwasher etiquette more than made up for any human failings in the telling of the tale.
Overall a great read. Well done.
Chevonne W, Reviewer
Like nothing I've ever read.
A collection of short stories with twists at every turn... Funny, dark, sad, inspiring and just plain bizzare (just how I like it!)
It was a great read to dip in and out of.
This would be a brilliant read for commuting or holidays.
Ceris J, Book Trade Professional
This is the first short story collection I've read in a while - really enjoyed it, particularly the Passive and Active Voice story. Had me laughing and shedding a tear or two on the train. Completely agree with the guy on Goodreads who called this a 'masterclass in short story writing.'
Featured Reviews
louisa t, Reviewer
These were funny , but also touching,and sometimes a little bit odd.
For that I truly enjoyed them.
Each seemed to be the perfect length (which I think is a tricky thing in a short story).
Also,I enjoyed the fact so many were family based.
My favourite might be the community forum.... too very true to life.
I think this is going to be a birthday gift for at least one person this year.
Philipa C, Reviewer
There is a certain skill to writing short stories and I have to say as a debut collection Dan Brotzel has it in bucket loads.
This is a contemporary collection with 21st century themes. Brexit, Trump, Alexa and other themes abound, but never does the author skimp on the portrayal of characters.
The first story 'Nothing so Blue' pulls you in on a well trod theme. 'What would your super power be?' but instantly we're engaged with the writing and many other stories similarly take very little time to draw you in, make you laugh, cry or even declare 'Yes that's my life!'
I particularly liked 'Infinite Rainbows' as a commuter for many a year any story with trains and crazy people at stations or in carriages are a mine field of stories.
All manner of life is here- young and old, male and female (he writes well from either sexual perspective) and the angle on modern relationships is great. Perhaps there are one too many involving the trials of parenthood, but then we can mostly all see ourselves in those daily traumas and dilemmas. Family life is always good but the wacky use of Minutes from a Meeting and the trials of Dishwasher etiquette more than made up for any human failings in the telling of the tale.
Overall a great read. Well done.
Chevonne W, Reviewer
Like nothing I've ever read.
A collection of short stories with twists at every turn... Funny, dark, sad, inspiring and just plain bizzare (just how I like it!)
It was a great read to dip in and out of.
This would be a brilliant read for commuting or holidays.
Ceris J, Book Trade Professional
This is the first short story collection I've read in a while - really enjoyed it, particularly the Passive and Active Voice story. Had me laughing and shedding a tear or two on the train. Completely agree with the guy on Goodreads who called this a 'masterclass in short story writing.'
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