Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Booklocker.com
Release Date: June 2004
ISBN: 0975351028
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Paperback
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Genre:   Genre: fiction / short story
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Patricia Aliventi
Reviewer Notes:  
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Caught Dead & Other Catastrophes  
By T.G. Browning

     Author T.G. Browning, while traveling with his family through Oregon once remarked that he wouldn't be "caught dead" in the little town of Toledo. He then humorously recounts the story of how he ended up living there. This is just one of life's little ironies which Browning manages to capture in his book "Caught Dead and Other Catastrophes".

     Browning has assembled here a series of short stories written over several years recounting various events in his life in a tone best described as "black humor". The book is entertaining and brought a smile to my face as I read through the various tales spanning what seems like a lifetime. I could relate to tales such as the eccentricities of one's family, the odd personalities of coaches and teachers in school, growing up and suffering through the trials and tribulations of the various part-time jobs, and home ownership. Have you ever had a house that pretty much drank in the paint so that you spent most of your summer trying to paint it? Browning tells this story of his and his wife's attempt at house painting in such a way I could picture the young couple as I read it. At the time, I am sure it was not funny to them, but he's written the tale with the perspective of the intervening years in the same way I often find myself telling my family "we'll laugh at this in a few years…"

      The illustrations are simple but cute, and each story has its own illustration showing a part of the tale. Many times they elicit and additional chuckle. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. Browning has a terrific sense of humor about life and sounds like quite a character to be around, what with the stalking killer luggage and being under surveillance by the Salvation Army.