PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 5, 2009 — Seasoned traveller Michael Roe, who has long experienced the hurry-up-and-wait culture, provides a distracting read as an antidote to the frequent delays and frustrations of international travel in his new book, “Tall tales for travellers” (published by AuthorHouse).
Roe invites readers to experience his travels throughout North America, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. The tales give a sympathetic and, at times, bemused look at how cultural differences and the unfamiliar often have unexpected results. Each story highlights a particular foible, among which deviousness, overconfidence, eccentricity and more abound. Roe also features the gentle side of human nature in tales featuring acts of kindness and generosity. Throughout the book he makes implied observations on certain social values such as snobbery, provincialism and assumed social graces.
In the short story, “Flying solo,” 80-year-old Vi Bromley is recovering from the death of her husband after 40 years of marriage. Having devoted half her life to the responsibilities of a dutiful wife and mother, Vi decides to travel on her own to visit her sister in Canada whom she has not seen since childhood. For the first time in her life, Vi is determined things will be done her way despite the advice of her children and the travel agent to the contrary.
“Good intentions” shares the story of how Brian Agnew, a recently retired private banker gets his comeuppance after retiring from a successful and influential career. He discovers he is soon forgotten by his former colleagues and his presence in the house irritates his wife. His former self-importance and arrogance are punctured and he struggles to come to terms with his new humble status. His search to regain his self-esteem takes an unexpected turn.
These are just snapshots of two of the characters who make up the stories in “Tall tales for travellers.” The book is designed to be picked up and put down at a moment’s notice and consequently makes for the perfect travelling companion.
About the Author: Michael Roe is a United Kingdom citizen and went to school in England, France and Ireland. He earned his degree at Trinity College Dublin. His professional life has led him to travel extensively, living and working in 16 countries. Roe’s lifelong interest in travel and keen observations of how different customs and cultures interact inspired him to record his experiences and insights in this collection of short stories. Michael Roe currently lives in Panama with his wife, Panamanian writer Lupita Quiros Athanasiadis. “Tall tales for travellers” is his first book.
AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Elizabeth Friedland
Tel: 317.926.1727
Fax: 317.926.1728
Email:
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
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