Ye Gods And Little Fishes

About the Book

It's mid-twentieth century in the American midwest. 1952 to be exact.

The world is at peace, yet there is an eerie calm in the air. President Eisenhower's golf scores dominate front-page news. The soldiers and sailors who were lucky enough to return home from World War Two have settled into their tract homes, bought Fords and Chevrolets, and started families.

It's the good life.

But for young John Olney, the prim-and-proper son of a wealthy Chicago businessman/sportsman, the good life he is only just beginning to understand has come to a sudden, frightening halt. A sailing tragedy has taken his father, and his mother may be next. Distraught at the loss of her husband, faced with raising little John all alone, the toll it takes on her re-ignites a previous bout with breast cancer. With John nearing his tenth birthday, the cancer has returned, and now she must also cope with a second mastectomy. As she lingers in a hospital, John is sent to live with his aunt, (his mother's sister), his stern uncle, and seven mischievous cousins in a Chicago suburb.

In a single morning, John, the only child from a wealthy family, is transformed into a newcomer in a long line of five boys and two girls. A situation, he learns, which may or may not be permanent. Only time will tell.

About the Author

James S. Gibons was born in Chicago. He studied for the priesthood for three years, and served in the Army during the Vietnam conflict. His first short story was published in a literary magazine when he was just 14. He holds a B.A. in Fiction Writing. Mr. Gibons and his wife Laura live in the wine region of northern California.