The Horse in My Garage and Other Stories
Here’s McManus’ latest collection of previously published material, including his first piece of published fiction, a witty short story with an O. Henry ending that most readers will see coming but that probably seemed quite a bit fresher back in 1957, when he wrote it. The nonfiction pieces—you have to use quotation marks when you talk about the author’s humorous writing—include tales about fishing, hunting, birding, and other manly pursuits (yes, bird-watching, according to McManus, is a manly pursuit). McManus’ friend Retch Sweeney puts in a few appearances, as does his magnificently monikered mentor, Rancid Crabtree, and the author’s darling wife, Bun, who, for some reason, expresses doubt that McManus’ distinctly unathletic appearance hides the rock-hard body of a world-class athlete. (Whose? Bun replies.) Like Garrison Keillor, McManus writes about people and situations that, even if they are made up, are so vividly and entertainingly presented that they might as well be real. For the author’s many fans, and for lovers of humorous essays in general, this one is a must-read. --David Pitt