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Steve Wiley

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The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan Kindle Edition

by Steve Wiley (Author), Chris Cihon (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

3.9 235 ratings

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"One of the most captivating and magical books I've read" ~ Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune

"If you love Chicago, this is a great read - you just might find yourself in a couple of these chapters" ~ Spike O'Dell, WGN Radio

"Often bringing to mind the adventures of Alice during her travels through Wonderland" ~ Chicago Literati

In Chicago, a curious L train runs through a hidden side of the city, at the intersection of something here and something there, right where you stop believing in last. On that train, you'll discover fantastical truths about the city, alongside the most fascinating cast of characters, including one exceptional girl by the name of Francesca Finnegan.

Once upon an autumn night, Francesca invited a boy named Richard aboard the secret L, for an adventure unlike any other. The night was a mad epic, complete with spectral whiskey, fabled Ferris wheels, gravity-defying first kisses, and more, as the pair traveled through past and present city landmarks such as the famed Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Dunning Mental Asylum, and Riverview Amusement Park. Unfortunately for Richard, the night ended like one of those elusive dreams, forgotten the moment you wake. Now, Richard is all grown up and out of childish adventures, a humdrum adult whose life is on the verge of ruin. It will take the rediscovery of his exploits with Francesca, and a reacquaintance with the boy he once was, to save him.

Witty, humorous, and at times profound, this modern fairytale teaches a lesson - one that adult readers are sure to benefit from. Learn more at fairytalechicagodotcom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lovely imagery and interesting notions. It's a pastiche of Chicago characters and history, painted with a folkloric brush." ~ Third Coast Review

"Entrancingly magical journey that's half Midwestern Miyazaki, half Mad Men, and all Windy City." ~ Windy City Reviews

"A novel that quite ingeniously incorporates all manner of actual local landmarks and legends then blows them up to the level of high fantasy. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this short, fast-reading novel soon." ~ Chicago Center for Literature and Photography (CCLaP)

"One of the most amazing, compelling, and magical books I've ever read." ~ Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune

"If you love Chicago, this is a great read - you just might find yourself in a couple of these chapters." ~ Spike O'Dell, WGN Radio

"A deeply imaginative and wondrous fairytale for adults who are still young at heart." ~ Indie Reader

"There are just enough obscenities uttered to ensure this book is never shelved in the children's or even YA section. The story, though, is anything but vulgar, a sweet and uplifting tale as heartwarming as the ones it's poking fun at." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"This is a book for intelligent adult readers who love a playful escape into teenage fantasies." ~ Publishers Weekly

"There is an adventurous and unpredictable tone to every chapter of this book, making it very difficult to put down." ~ SPR Reviews

"An imaginative, modern-day adventure-fantasy for readers of all ages. Offering a view askew of the mundane and the magical, The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is a lighthearted joy to read, highly recommended!" ~ Midwest Book Review

"Often bringing to mind the adventures of Alice during her travels through Wonderland. Rich's travels through the city via the Lavender Line are just as colorful and filled with even more bizarre and baffling characters." ~ Chicago Literati

From the Author

See fairytalechicago.com for more information

From the Back Cover

Steven Wiley's The Fairytale Chicago offers the type of urban fantasy that the genre is sorely lacking. It pulls a few pages from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland with a dash of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, both of which are referenced by the eponymous, blue-haired Francesca Finnegan. Filled with clever rhymes and plays on words, the prose itself is pure fun. Witty, humorous, and at times profound, the tone is true to its fairytale style. And like all good fairytales, it teaches a lesson--one that older readers are sure to benefit from.
Swept up on a wonderfully strange adventure alongside Rich and Francesca, one finds magic at every turn. The Lavender Line L train evokes magic in its name right from the start, then weaves through a curious, inexplicable hidden world within the city. Vignettes from other characters who reside in this world further enrich its creation. A drunken elf recounts actual ghostly spirits who give alcoholic spirits their flavor. The infamous Chicago wind becomes personified and settles as a regular presence throughout the night. Francesca's father enlightens the audience with the real story behind the Great Chicago Fire. Straddling that hazy space between dreams and reality, one doesn't exactly know what's real and what isn't, which is part of the true magic in The Fairytale Chicago. The only disappointment is that eventually the night ends and one must step off the Lavender Line.
The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is a deeply imaginative and wondrous fairytale for adults who are still young at heart.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader

About the Author

Steve is a writer from in and around Chicagoland, where he still lives with his wife and two kids. Publishers Weekly called his first novel, The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan, "Intelligent, enchanting, and playful." Wiley's second novel, The Imagined Homecoming of Icarus Isakov, was released in the spring of 2020. His short fiction has been published everywhere from Crannóg magazine in Galway, Ireland, to Papercuts Magazine in Pakistan. Steve once passionately kissed a bronze seahorse in the middle of Buckingham Fountain. Seriously, he did. For new title release and other information visit Steve's author website at absurdistfiction.com.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N0TBFIB
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lavender Line Press (February 22, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 22, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 7341 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 342 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #613,579 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #148 in Absurdist Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #317 in Absurdist Fiction (Books)
- #1,367 in Alternative History

Customer Reviews:
3.9 235 ratings

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Steve Wiley

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Steve is a purveyor of the finest in speculative literature from Chicago. He has authored five novels and his short fiction has been published everywhere from Crannog magazine in Galway, Ireland, to Papercuts Magazine in Pakistan. His most recent novel, The Curious Case of the Village in the Moonlight, an unconventional fantasy set within Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, was released in 2023.

For new title release and other information, visit Steve’s author website at absurdistfiction dot com.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5

235 global ratings

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Sami Pie

Surprising

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2024

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This was different from what I thought it would be. And I liked it. Twists around some and tells several tales to get you to the resolution(?) of the book. I enjoyed the ride on the Lavender line.

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Gail Storrs

A trip down the Chicago rabbit hole

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024

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I enjoy the blend of reality and fantasy in this book. It felt like I was inside a kaleidoscope in Wonderland most of the time, as the story introduced character after fantastic character, and then wove them into a cohesive story, pulling everything together in a satisfying ending. I'm sure those familiar with Chicago will find the book even more entertaining!

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2017

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Nearly put me to sleep.

2 people found this helpful

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Duane

A fun ride with fun Chicago elements

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2023

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As someone who has also used Chicago as the focus of a fictional book setting I really enjoy looking at other Authors' takes on the Windy City. First thing that really came to mind for me was the author is clearly familiar with Chicago so they've either spent time there or did some great research, so for those of us that are familiar with the city ourselves it really helps add to the visualization of events.

I enjoyed the weaving of the fictional aspects to a very real setting and city. Definitely some call backs to Alice in Wonderland and even some Dresden Files feels in the less whimsical parts of the story. If you're from Chicago, know the city, or just love a fresh take on how the doldrums of life can really blind us to the fantastical things around us, give this book a read.

3 people found this helpful

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Jeniree Candurin

Actually liked it

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024

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The concept is very interesting. I prefer full sci-fi but the mix between real and fantasy world works. Recommended.

One person found this helpful

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Lori J. Abbott

Entertaining, whimsical story

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2023

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I enjoyed this read. As someone very familiar with Chicago, the author did a fair amount of research on this city which adds to its appeal. The author did a great job with imagery and the book was engaging from start to finish.

2 people found this helpful

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Bedtime Sleuth

Lazy and derivative

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019

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I’d hoped for something approaching Neil Gaiman or even Ben Aaronovitch.
And frankly, describing a bleak suburban railway system as worse than a Holocaust train is lazy writing, entitled and disgusting.
For reference, those trains were often cattle trucks that were so tightly packed, airless and overheated by body heat that people died standing up on the way to be slaughtered.

4 people found this helpful

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Oldocfoster

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2018

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Not impressed.

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vijaya chetty

Fantasy meets reality

Reviewed in Australia on December 29, 2023

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In a delightful blend of fantasy and reality, the novel takes us on a magical journey through Chicago. Francesca Finnegan is a fascinating character, leading us into a world where the city's landmarks are reimagined with a touch of whimsy. The story beautifully contrasts the wonders of childhood with adult life, reminding us to keep the magic alive. It's an enjoyable read for those who like a mix of fantasy in urban settings, though at times, the fantasy can overshadow the plot. Overall, it's a charming and imaginative book.

Amazon Customer

I thoroughly enjoyed this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

Truly a magical tale. Well written and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan Kindle Edition

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