The reviews are in...

"Willis is earnest and perceptive, a boy who’s drawn a harsh lot in life whom readers will root for. . . . Warmly funny and entertaining." —Kirkus Reviews

"[T]he prospect of an island run by robots with a 1950s mindset is sure to have readers wondering what if? Fans of robot tales tinged with moral dilemmas will appreciate this retro-futuristic romp." —Booklist

“Readers will become absorbed in the story and struggle to put it down…. Themes of friendship and obedience to one’s caregiver resonate throughout the novel and Fagan’s dynamic pacing will keep readers invested until the final page.” --Youth Services Book Review

“A heartwarming middle-grade adventure that will inspire readers to treasure both their friendships and their stories. Robot Island is more than a whimsical adventure—it’s a celebration of books, friendship, and the families we create for ourselves. Cary Fagan has crafted a tale that will resonate with young readers and remind adults of the moment they first fell in love with stories.”

--The Page Walker

“Robot Island is an imaginative, uplifting tale that invites readers to look beyond appearances and embrace the unexpected. It’s a perfect choice for readers who enjoy adventure with a touch of whimsy, and it’s sure to spark conversations about empathy and what it means to find home in surprising places.”

--YA Books Central

“Robot Island is a funny, adventurous tale with plenty of heart, perfect for readers who love humorous stories with a classic feel.” --Reading Middle Grade

Rise or maybe return of the ape...

Cary’s story collection, "My Life Among the Apes" has just gone out of print. He has a few copies and so have put them up for sale (discounted!) on the Found Object Etsy site, link below.

The book was on the Giller longlist and was named an Amazon best book of the year, and received some pretty sweet reviews.

“The volume's ten stories are, without exception, splendid yarns, told with the practised ease of a natural storyteller.” — Quill & Quire (Starred review)

There is humour in these stories, pathos and great yarn telling. Remarkable narrative gifts.” ― Toronto Star

“A reminder of what the sinews of short fiction are all about.” — Philip Marchand, National Post

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4339533804/my-life-among-the-apes-stories-by-cary?ref=shop_home_active_1&logging_key=c0d4541c9ee01da2f79bd91c169eadc2fa17a5be%3A4339533804&fbclid=IwY2xjawLuPMNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoEbz_-UtSXgjcPj8EBZwutbsrZR8IhAQUjaqgY58FUMIeT-Anu0iGR6xm6K_aem_U5eDggmTnu5ypCRqsSXnaQ

A new chapbook press

Some time ago, Cary started a new chapbook press, Found Object. The purpose of the press is to bring deserving work back into print. You can see chapbooks by Maureen Scott Harris, Beverley Daurio, as well as articles by Cary on the Found Object site:

https://foundobjectpress.wordpress.com/

A new review of "The Student"

It’s always a pleasure to see a review or article about a novel after it’s been out in the world for some time. Michael Greenstein, who has reviewed Cary’s work several times over the years, provides a sensitive reading of “The Student” in The Seaboard Review. Perhaps what is most interesting is Greenstein’s focus on style and technique rather than just story. You can read it here (it’s free):

https://theseaboardreview.substack.com/p/cary-fagan-the-student?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=1owfmu&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


A review for "Henry"

The review journal Miramichi Reader recently introduced reviews of chapbooks. Here’s a quotation from the new review of Cary’s chapbook, “Fifty-Two Lines About Henry,” published by above/ground press:

"A funny, heartfelt ride, Fifty-Two Lines About Henry is a fast-paced, witty, and undeniably charming meditation on the many thoughts and feelings that populate our strange, unknowable days."

You can see the whole review here:

https://miramichireader.ca/2024/06/fifty-two-lines-about-henry-by-cary-fagan/

And you can order the chapbook (it’s only $5) here:

https://abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2024/01/new-from-aboveground-press-fifty-two.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1_-wbKUu2rxFhXZzwX0hytZ9NWjP9An3qgQ9wLUkbpzacSJVcArO02vDo_aem_SkjbA-Om_xnyNZqJ5xyv8w

A new chapbook

rob mclennan’s quite extraordinary chapbook press, above/ground, has published Cary’s “52 Lines About Henry,” a comic if somewhat dismaying portrait of a man. You can find it here:

https://abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2024/01/new-from-aboveground-press-fifty-two.html?fbclid=IwAR368KbKJvfBwQBvbiKIDt463e66NpQbvzYT8Bp2DLF5-HwtzM-nw1cDTDE

Cary wrote about it here:

https://periodicityjournal.blogspot.com/2024/02/cary-fagan-on-fifty-two-lines-about.html?fbclid=IwAR00LJHPHpNJ4McUiMvgP2H_3ZVepcaDyABt3gSQltRdaEnkjKOlrbCeU5g

First reviews of "Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door"

Cary’s new novel for kids has been getting some nice attention.

“A lighthearted look at friendship and change—an enjoyable story of understanding (and misunderstandings), sprinkled with fairy tale–inspired poems.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Immensely likeable…a funny and thought-provoking middle-grade novel about the power of stories—especially the ones we tell ourselves.” -Quill & Quire

“Fagan’s appealing book taps into the trusting naivete of many primary aged children and the wish to believe in fairy tales. Highly recommended.” -CM Reviews

“Andie turns out to be a born storyteller, a revelation that changes everything.” -New York Times Book Review

The reviews for Cary's new picture book, "Boney," are in!

A poetic volume that raises keen questions about ephemerality, connection, and regard across the natural world. STARRED REVIEW

― Publishers Weekly

Cary Fagan’s story provokes a lot of thought on emotions and on the idea of death. … It encourages an open discussion about expressing emotions and respect to wildlife.

― CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A Where the Wild Things Are vibe may lead [readers] to think about the proper uses of nature.

― Booklist

Fagan’s storytelling is simple but deeply felt. … Tolstikova’s childlike -mixed-media illustrations convey the emotional depth of the seemingly small experience. 

― Horn Book

A wonderfully unusual and meaningful tale. … Singularly poetic and profound and funny. … For readers looking for books that explore children’s connections with and respect for wildlife, emotional processing, or more broadly about cycles of life, Boney is a terrific picture book pick.

― Fab Book Reviews

A short but sweet story with very vivid and beautiful illustrations which are very thought-provoking. … It teaches us that, sometimes, we have to do things that aren't easy to make the situation right.

― CanLit for Little Canadians

First reviews for Cary's new adult novel, 'The Animals'

"Funny, provocative, magical, and warmly engaging." — Vancouver Sun.

“Fagan distills enchantments from the ordinary while treating the forces that corrupt ordinary life with sardonic incision. Each scene proffers a surprise, strung together to form a sometimes baffling, always delightful whole.” —Forward Reviews

“Addictive…a puzzling and lively parable.” — Literary Review of Canada

“Adopting a wolf, weasel or wolverine sounds like an extremely bad idea, but in Cary Fagan’s novel The Animals, it adds to the overall zaniness of the topsy-turvey world he creates.” — Winnipeg Free Press

”An absolute pleasure to read. Just a lovely, immersive, transporting experience.” —Advance the Plot

“You will be absolutely ecstatic…lingers with you long after you’ve devoured the last word.” —Lindsay Wincherauk, I Love It

“The pages will fly by in this compact novel. The writing is excellent and the narrative resembles an allegorical fairy tale.” —She Treads Softly