Three Times Time
Jack Matthews
Three Times Time
Short Stories by Jack Matthews
Copyright 2012 Jack Matthews
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Author’s Website:
https://www.ghostlypopulations.com
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Table of Contents
Preface
Amos Smith, the Gunsmith
A Woman of Properties
Girl at the Window
Appendix: 2009 Interview with Jack Matthews
About the Author
License Information
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Preface
One of America's foremost short story writers has made available three of his most intriguing stories as part of a new introductory ebook. These three stories (first published in the 1980s) were chosen because they are accessible, intricately written and provocative on many levels.
What are some hallmarks of a Jack Matthews story? Generally they are easy to read, with occasional allowances made for metaphor. Many of his stories have at least one chatterbox (that's why some have compared the books of Matthews to those of Bellow). The author’s characters are just ordinary folks with normal kinds of problems. They have worries, obsessions and blind spots. Usually they don't have grand ambitions, but are focused on the here-and-now. Often Matthews’ characters are imbued with an elaborate backstory or a sense of history and literary traditions. Matthews has written several novels about the 19th century Midwest -- including Gambler's Nephew, a tale of an abolitionist and his sinning brother in a small town before the Civil War. This extraordinary novel – one of Matthew's finest and maybe the most artistically perfect – was published by Etruscan Press in 2011. Although some of Mr. Matthews' stories emphasize plot, there's (usually) not a lot of melodrama; often they end after a character stumbles upon a surprising self-revelation. Many end quietly, but explosively.
Here is a brief rundown of the story collections by Mr. Matthews. Bitter Knowledge touches upon universal themes of family relationships and sometimes feel raw; Tales of an Ohio Land merges folk tales with the adventurous 19th century outdoor spirit. The story collections from the 1980s and 1990s (Ghostly Populations, Dubious Persuasions, Crazy Women, Storyhood as We Know It and Other tales) show Matthews' mastery of the form; they are sophisticated, tricky, compassionate, ironic. My favorite collection is Crazy Women where each story features – surprise, surprise – a minimum of one woman who is … crazy. These collections should eventually find their way into ebooks. (Stay tuned).
Over the next two years Matthews should have several brand new story collections available as ebooks. Highlights include Soldier Boys (how Civil War soldiers confront mortality on a daily basis and deal with the complications of ordinary living), Boxes of Time (stories from decades past which show Matthew's evolution as a writer and provide nice snapshots of our not-so-distant past), Second Death of Edgar Allen Poe and Other Novellas (longish and more plot-oriented stories) and Abruptions (experimental flash fiction by the author's alter ego Matt Hughes). Mr. Matthews is 87 and still writing. As one of Mr. Matthews' biggest fans, I have read a ton of his fiction already, yet I am still playing catch up.
Personville Press is dedicated to publishing reasonably-priced ebooks by Jack Matthews. Over the past year Personville Press has published a writing guide by Mr. Matthews (A Worker's Writebook) and re-published a widely acclaimed novel for young adults (Hanger Stout, Awake). In October 2012 Personville Press will republish a play by Mr. Matthews. That play is Interview with a Sphinx, a philosophical comedy about the legendary figure from Greek mythology being interviewed in modern times. An audio version will also be released at about the same time and available for a modest price. More information can be found on the author's www.ghostlypopulations.com website or the Personville Press website.
The stories included in this volume are so different that one would hardly think one person could write all three. Yet, they are among Mr. Matthews' best. Amos Smith, the Gunsmith reaches into the folk tale tradition to produce a nice allegory about human labor. A Woman of Properties is a satirical suburban tale (reminiscent of Flannery O'Connor or Cheever) about a real estate agent with a grudge. The Girl at the Window is an unsettling and mysterious tale about our relationship to the past (if anyone can explain this story, let me know!) All three come from collections which Matthews published in the 1980s.
This ebook finishes with a long interview Mr. Matthews had with me about his writing career and the craft of writing fiction.
On with the show!
Robert Nagle, Editor, Personville Press, September 2012
