{"product_id":"a-bricklayers-tales-gary-troia-9781489598714","title":"A Bricklayer's Tales","description":"In this short story collection, Gary Troia shares his adventures, travels and memoirs from his life.\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Excellent \u003c\/strong\u003e A collection of short stories about: depression, alcoholism and drug use. Very compelling reading. I read this short story collection all in one go.\" (Maria, Goodreads.) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Gary manages to take the mundanities of life and elevate them to \u003cstrong\u003ebrilliance.\u003c\/strong\u003e in this short story collection\" (Sara Fell) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Author, Gary cements \u003cstrong\u003egrowing reputation\u003c\/strong\u003e...A Bricklayer's Tales touches on real-life experiences in the building trade.\" ( Salina Patel, Hounslow Cronicle) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnyone who has ever done building work for brutal wage slavery and wondered if they were going mad, will recognise the life of Ray Dennis, (Troia's alter ego) which evokes a vision of mind-numbing, soul-destroying workplaces and workmates. His is the voice of discord for the marginally employed, the creatively frustrated working Joe, who turns to a life of drink and drugs to elevate the monotony of life. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew have brought this world to life with such despair, black humour and indifference as Gary Troia. He paints a beautifully sad portrait of a truly messed up person with potential, struggling to keep his messed up mind from drowning in cheap wine and self-loathing. Ray's spirit is trapped in a world of endless grey mundanity. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Bricklayer's Tales\u003c\/i\u003e is the ultimate \"I hate this job\" story, written as a collection of short stories and memoirs, each one containing a snapshot of the life of Ray. Troia captures the tedium of working in a low paid, menial job and living hand to mouth. This book of short stories is sad and questions the reader to ask questions about their own life. This book achieves clarity without trying. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRay has three expensive hobbies: drinking, drugs, and running away. Without the income that Bricklaying provides, he would not be able to maintain his chosen lifestyle, so he compromises his principles and continues with his trade. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA collection of short stories and memoirs that include: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAngel Dust, \u003c\/strong\u003e the peculiar story of a man whose new life in America leads to conversations with Ancient Greek philosophers \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMrs McClintock, \u003c\/strong\u003e an absurd farce in which a Glaswegian couple retire to Spain \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Bricklayer's Tale, \u003c\/strong\u003e the story of a disillusioned, alcoholic bricklayer \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat I Did In My Summer Holidays In 1000 Words, \u003c\/strong\u003e could having an idea ever be considered a criminal act? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy Grandfather's Shed, \u003c\/strong\u003e the making of an English key \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeyote, \u003c\/strong\u003e hippies, LSD and an idyllic refuge \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReturn Ticket, \u003c\/strong\u003e handcuffed and ready for deportation. A sad departure from the States \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Day My Soul Left Me, \u003c\/strong\u003e \"to be or not to be? That is the question\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdvert In The Art Shop Window, \u003c\/strong\u003e will a new building job in Spain be the start of a new life? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Unchangeable Chameleon, \u003c\/strong\u003e can a leopard change it's spots? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA collection short stories and memoirs of British dark humour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Gary Troia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1489598715\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781489598714\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Createspace Independent Publishing Platform\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/12\/2013\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 140\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.35lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.99h x 5.00w x 0.33d\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gary Troia","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43936158449919,"sku":"9781489598714","price":6.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_d63c67af-a347-4685-a89d-507c537c90fc.jpg?v=1681423927","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-bricklayers-tales-gary-troia-9781489598714","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}