The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan

by Steve Wiley, Chris Cihon (Illustrator), McDonald Jen (Editor)

Overview

In Chicago, a secret L train runs through the mythical East Side of the city. On that train, you'll find a house-cat conductor, an alcoholic elf, a queen of the last city farm, the most curious wind, and an exceptional girl by the name of Francesca Finnegan.

When we first encounter Richard K. Lyons, he is a man who has long forgotten the one night, when he was still a boy called Rich, when Francesca invited him aboard the secret L for an adventure through the East Side. The night was a mad epic, complete with gravity-defying first kisses, mermaid overdoses, and princess rescues. Unfortunately for Rich, the night ended like one of those elusive dreams forgotten the moment you wake. Now, Rich is all grown up and out of childish adventures, an adult whose life is on the verge of ruin. It will take the rediscovery of his exploits with Francesca, and a reacquaintance with the boy he once was, to save him.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780998149226
Publisher:	Lavender Line Press LLC
Publication date:	02/24/2017
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	4.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

Steve is a father, husband, uncle, brother, friend, and purveyor of fairy stories. He grew up in and around Chicagoland, where he still lives with his wife and two kids. He has been published in an array of strange and serious places, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., to Crannóg magazine in Galway, Ireland. This is his first book. He has an undergraduate degree in something he has forgotten from Illinois State University and a graduate degree in something equally forgotten from DePaul University. You can email Steve at [e-mail], or visit thewileymancan on Instagram.

Chris is an artist who studied at Columbia College Chicago. He is a Chicago native and has lived here all his life. Chris's paintings have been showcased in many local galleries and beyond. When he feels like it, he travels elsewhere to find inspiration. You can reach him at [e-mail], or visit _ccihon on Instagram

I'm an independent editor, writer, and teacher with nearly two decades of experience working with professional and aspiring journalists and authors-at major national news organizations, in print and online, and in the classroom. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, I have also lived in New York City and Washington, D.C., and now make my home in Chicago.

Table of Contents

The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan Table of Contents I Fairyism Richard the Rich The Brown Line to Auschwitz II Ghost in the Graveyard The True Source of the Great Chicago Fire, by Finbar Finnegan The Lavender Line Templeton Goodfellow A Roguish Coat of Arms The Poisoning of George Gipp by Thumbelina Night Dance of the Wild Kings Queen of the Last Chicago Farm Apparition of an Amusement Park The Riverview Machinist Cowboys and Indians The Polish Potawatomi The Grand Duke of Rhine Falls The Green Mill Breaks Through The Sad Chapter Stray Seasons of a Fox Glow-in-the-Dark Stars III The Brown Line to Andy A Flight of Spirits

Editorial Reviews

"There are just enough obscenities uttered to ensure this book is never shelved in the children's or even young adult section. The story, though, is anything but vulgar, a sweet and uplifting tale as heartwarming as the ones it's poking fun at." Kirkus Reviews "There is an adventurous and unpredictable tone to every chapter of this book, making it very difficult to put down." SPR Reviews Often bringing to mind the adventures of Alice during her travels through Wonderland, Rich's travels through the city via the Lavender Line are just as colorful and filled with even more bizarre and baffling characters." Chicago Literati "The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is a deeply imaginative and wondrous fairytale for adults who are young at heart." Indie Reader "Witty, humorous, and at times profound, the tone is true to its fairytale style. And like all good fairytales, it teaches a lesson - one that readers are sure to benefit from." Indie Reader

From the Publisher