The Grand Summer of Spells & Other Tales
by Barbara E. Hill
Category: Juvenile Fiction

The Grand Summer of Spells & Other Tales, is a collection of short literary fiction stories, written for an adult readership. The book includes ghost stories; drama or a social commentary piece (The River); and an adventure story about the magic in life and living. Each story reflects an important message or lesson about life, and is basically separated from "pulp fiction" by virtue of the rich symbolism and imaginative qualities of the writing-style itself, as well as in the opinions or statements inherent in the stories regarding man's quest toward his greatest ability. There is drama, ghost stories, and an adventure tale, stories to read by the fireplace at night with a warm brandy. The stories include: The Grand Summer of Spells; The Lighthouse; A Creature in the Woods; Silenced Screams Still Screaming (a tale about hypnotism & reincarnation); The Mysterious Guest Part One; and The River. The writer has been commented on as being a "wordsmith." The richness of the imagery is similar to Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice and Hermann Hesse; all comparisons which have been made by previous readers. Great stories to read outloud on Halloween, as well!