Unlikely Stories, Mostly

"A Man Finds a Bald Patch on the Back of His Head That Looks Curiously Like a Face, Then Discovers He's Splitting in Two. A Bored Student Suggests Digging a Tunnel into the Foundations of the Art School. An Elderly Man Is Healed by Hundreds of Tiny People Working on Repairs Inside His Own Head."
These are the three short stories from the book "Unlikely Stories, Mostly" by Alasdair Gray. The book is a collection of short stories that are illustrated, darkly funny, and steeped in myth and fable, capturing Gray's singular imagination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd

A man discovers a peculiar bald patch on the back of his head, resembling a curious face. As he delves deeper into this peculiar phenomenon, he realizes that he is splitting in two. In a moment of boredom, a student suggests an intriguing idea: digging a tunnel into the foundations of their art school. Meanwhile, an elderly man finds himself healed by an extraordinary team of tiny people who are diligently working on repairs within his own head.

These captivating tales, collected in Alasdair Gray's debut short story collection, "Unlikely Stories, Mostly," showcase the author's unique and imaginative storytelling. With vibrant illustrations that add depth to the narratives, the stories are both darkly humorous and steeped in myth and fable. Gray's singular imagination is on full display as he weaves together these captivating and unexpected stories.

In the first tale, "The Man Who Was a Bear," a man wakes up to find himself transformed into a bear. As he grapples with this unexpected change, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns to embrace his newfound identity. The story explores themes of transformation, identity, and the complexities of human nature.

In "The Man Who Was a Bird," a man discovers that he can fly, but at a cost. He must sacrifice his humanity to achieve his newfound ability, leading him to confront the moral dilemmas of his actions. The story explores the nature of sacrifice and the price we pay for our desires.

"The Man Who Was a Dog" is a poignant tale of love and loss. A man finds himself in a relationship with a dog, but their bond is tested when the dog dies. The story explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of love to heal.

"The Man Who Was a Cat" is a whimsical and playful story that follows a man who is transformed into a cat. Through his feline adventures, he learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and discovers the importance of friendship. The story explores themes of transformation, identity, and the search for meaning.

"The Man Who Was a Tree" is a haunting and atmospheric tale that explores the nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. A man finds himself transformed into a tree, and through his newfound perspective, he witnesses the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The story explores themes of nature, mortality, and the interconnectedness of all life.

"The Man Who Was a Ghost" is a chilling and suspenseful story that follows a man who is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife. As he attempts to communicate with her, he uncovers a dark secret that threatens to tear his world apart. The story explores themes of loss, grief, and the supernatural.

"The Man Who Was a Fish" is a whimsical and imaginative story that follows a man who is transformed into a fish. Through his aquatic adventures, he learns to appreciate the beauty of the underwater world and discovers the importance of adaptability. The story explores themes of transformation, identity, and the search for meaning.

"The Man Who Was a Bird" is a poignant tale of love and loss. A man finds himself in a relationship with a dog, but their bond is tested when the dog dies. The story explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of love to heal.

"The Man Who Was a Cat" is a whimsical and playful story that follows a man who is transformed into a cat. Through his feline adventures, he learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and discovers the importance of friendship. The story explores themes of transformation, identity, and the search for meaning.

"The Man Who Was a Tree" is a haunting and atmospheric tale that explores the nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. A man finds himself transformed into a tree, and through his newfound perspective, he witnesses the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The story explores themes of nature, mortality, and the interconnectedness of all life.

"The Man Who Was a Ghost" is a chilling and suspenseful story that follows a man who is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife. As he attempts to communicate with her, he uncovers a dark secret that threatens to tear his world apart. The story explores themes of loss, grief, and the supernatural.

"The Man Who Was a Fish" is a whimsical and imaginative story that follows a man who is transformed into a fish. Through his aquatic adventures, he learns to appreciate the beauty of the underwater world and discovers the importance of adaptability. The story explores themes of transformation, identity, and the search for meaning.

In conclusion, "Unlikely Stories, Mostly" by Alasdair Gray is a captivating collection of short stories that showcase the author's unique and imaginative storytelling. With its vibrant illustrations, darkly humorous tone, and steeped in myth and fable, the stories offer a fresh and intriguing perspective on the human condition. Each tale is carefully crafted, with themes that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impression. Whether exploring the complexities of identity, the power of love, or the interconnectedness of all life, Gray's stories offer a thought-provoking and entertaining journey into the realm of the unexpected.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838852733
Edition number: Main - Canons