Pictures of the Shark

Bittersweet stories from adolescence.

A sudden snowfall in Houston reveals family secrets. A trip to Universal Studios to snap a picture of the shark from Jaws becomes a battle of wills between father and son. A midnight séance and the ghost of Janis Joplin conjure the mysteries of sex. A young boy’s pilgrimage to see Elvis Presley becomes a moment of transformation. A young woman discovers the responsibilities of talent and freedom.

Pictures of the Shark, by award-winning Houston writer Thomas H. McNeely, moves from its protagonist Buddy Turner’s surreal world of childhood into the wider arenas of sex, addiction, art, and ambition. 

(from Goodreads)

More reading

Author website – Thomas McNeely

Interview with Thomas McNeely in the Houston Chronicle

Reviews

“Stories that will stay with you a long time after you turn the final page” – Boys’ Mom Reads blog

“A painful look at a dysfunctional family” – TheBookDelight.com

“This book is raw and heartbreaking, but it is engaging as well because a messy life is still worth living, even if it is only viewed through rosy gossamer or a drunken haze.” – Ruthie Jones, Reading by Moonlight

Special Note

Important changes to the site
Sep 23

Site Changes

From September 2023 this site will only be an index site for new entries. If I can find interview bits from the authors about the craft writing linked short stories I will add that, otherwise there will be no additional information. You are still welcome to contact me if you want to add links, etcetera to an entry on a collection you have authored.  I hope to get the resources to expand all entries further in the future. Unless otherwise noted all blurbs are from Goodreads.
Contact me

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

12 − 12 =

You might also like

share this 

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email

Still hungry? Here’s more