Chewed Confessions

by Cheryl Kirwan

Overview

Chewed Confessions, is a series of thought-provoking, linked short stories, using an inventive supposition to share a variety of human experiences, as related by the animated stick of gum that traveled with each person on a given day. From this intimate vantage, these humorous, heartfelt stories together explore a broad spectrum of everyday life, from affairs of the heart to matters of conscience. With rich insight and reflection, this original work of literature reveals the daily struggles we all face with doing the right thing. In this series of nine diverse short stories, each unique piece of gum narrates the thoughts and actions of the characters once it enters his or her mouth. Each gum has its own flavor, and its own insightful understanding of the journey it is taking.

Chewed Confessions offers life lessons and insights – some sweet, some sour, just as the spectrum of chewing gum offers a wide variety of life’s flavors. Each story will make you feel something and leave a good taste in your mouth -- and at the very least, you’ll find yourself reaching for a piece of gum.

Over 150 million Americans chew gum—and the practice dates back further than when gum was initially commercially produced in the late 1800s. We chew it while playing sports, when socializing, when working, or just before a date. Kids, adults, and seniors love it all the same. Whether for pleasure, to relieve stress, or freshen our breath, we enjoy the oral pleasures of chomping on gum—from gumballs and bubble gum to Chiclets and sticks of gum. Author Cheryl Kirwan has written an authentic new book of short stories where the main characters chew gum and the stories are narrated, in part, by the gum they are chewing. It’s an inventive, award-winning and critically-acclaimed book, entitled Chewed Confessions.

The confectionary tales give readers something to chew on. For one, they remind us of our shared love for gum and they make us think of gum as a witness to the many emotional moments our lives are filled with.

Awards:
Readers' Favorite 2014 International Book Awards - BRONZE MEDAL WINNER in Fiction Short Stories
Indie Excellence Book Award – FINALIST WINNER in Fiction Short Stories, 2013
Global EBook Award – BRONZE MEDAL WINNER in Fiction Short Stories, 2013

Product Details

BN ID:	2940046226393
Publisher:	Cheryl Kirwan
Publication date:	10/04/2014
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	391 KB

About the Author

Cheryl Kirwan is an award-winning author and storyteller. Her debut book, Chewed Confessions, was embraced as “sweet and endearing” by Kirkus Reviews and called “clever confection” by Clarion Reviews.

She enjoys scuba diving, downhill skiing, mountain climbing and bicycle riding. Her hiking partner is an Australian kelpie/border collie.

Raised in Alaska, she now resides just outside of San Francisco. For more information, please consult: www.chewedconfessions.com

RADIO INTERVIEW ABOUT CHEWED CONFESSIONS: copy and paste onto your browser~ http://archives2014.gcnlive.com/Archives2014/aug14/AmerikaNow/0830143.mp3

Editorial Reviews

2013-10-07
In Kirwan's debut, pieces of anthropomorphized chewing gum narrate a collection of linked short stories. You've heard of chick lit--now get ready for Chiclet. The characters populating Kirwan's collection come from many walks of life, from the business sector to organic farms, and some from the shelves of convenience stores. Gum, in the process of being chewed, narrates each story. As it's mashed between molars, it's able to observe the environment of its chewer and gain access to the person's thoughts. The chewers deal with heartbreak and budding love, the perils of online dating and the dangers of embezzling money, all while their faithful gum offers "juicy blasts" of flavors like "cherry jubilee" and "fruity explosion" to keep them going. Gum, we learn, is a compassionate entity and grateful to be masticated but also capable of judgment (as was the case in the tale of the aforementioned corporate thief). Each piece eagerly shares its day's adventure with others once it's inevitably spat upon the sidewalk (at each story's end). Kirwan uses two narrators: an omniscient voice provides the main narrative--many of the stories feel more like character sketches with a moral motivation, rather than complete stories--while the gum relates the immediate action and physical state of the chewer, e.g., rate of chewing, level of salivation or whether bile is threatening to rise. Ultimately, it's revolting and rather repetitive (how much can you say about gum?), but Kirwan follows her conceit to its conclusion. There's a conflict of audience here. The subject matter is more suitable for adults, while the narrative device and humor are fitting for a younger audience--or the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Despite a heavy reliance on references to popular culture and commodities, Kirwan writes with compassion and a clear sense of who her characters are. Stories narrated by chewing gum might not be the next popular flavor of fiction, but this collection is sweet and endearing in its own way.

Kirkus Reviews