The First Fifteen (ePub)

Some of the stories in this collection are fables; most are anchored by adult fancies and foibles. The settings include travel and exploration, the world of art and the home. A few of the stories concern adoption, a subject little explored in short fiction. The stories are united by the threads of personal discovery and the benefits of displaying kindnesses to not only others but also ourselves. Reviews"I love the playfulness of these stories. Gary Coles obviously had a lot of fun writing them. I could sense the tongue in his cheek. The last five stories have a more sombre although still gentle tone." "Entertainments are what I would call these fine stories. One, The letter, is an absolute gem. This guy can write. I hope this is not the last we hear and read from him." "I like the range (19th Century to the present) and differing perspectives presented in fifteen tasty slices. Some of the stories are anthropomorphic; others perhaps draw upon actual events, usually with a twist. Gary Coles seems to know his stuff about adoption - does he, I wonder have a personal experience?" About the Author: Gary Coles has been a geologist, roamed the world and always taken a keen interest in people and what lies about him. He has drawn upon his experience, imagination and powers of observation to compile The First Fifteen, a book of short stories and his first foray into fiction. Gary has written three acclaimed books about the impact of adoption, the most recent of which is The Invisible Men of Adoption (2010). Said the Australian Journal of Adoption: The Invisible Men of Adoption is a well written, highly readable, thoroughly researched exposition into the troubling nature of men's roles in the lives of their adopted children. Trevor Jordan, President of Jigsaw Queensland opined: Great Book. Highly recommended, as are all Gary's books