Publisher's Synopsis
These are my finest stories. They've been accumulating over my lifetime and are finally written down and published. You'll meet Nazar, my ever friendly, advice-giving Navy dad, Charlene my 3rd grade crush-and how about breakfast with Claude Monet? You'll meet Buster, an old healing dog, Connie a lost love when I was young, Vini the Tattooed man at a funeral, and how to look skinny-ideas used for centuries. And you'll like a New Orleans oddity named Phillip Dugas who never ages. A few of these stories were written during The Great Quarantine and are the signposts in my life, of times current and bygone, of laughter and grief. You'll learn things. You, yourself will become a better storyteller.
Endorsements"Over the years, Chuck Hajinian has produced many wonderful short stories-oftentimes incorporating his remarkable collection of Armenian jokes and anecdotes. In addition to friends and acquaintances alike, new readers can now enjoy many of them in his entertaining new book - which I heartily recommend for its originality and color. I'm certainly eager to get my copy!"
-Oscar S. Tatosian, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Armenia in Chicago "Chuck has such a voice when he writes that is so relatable. I also find myself rereading lines that he's written because I just want to enjoy, again, the way he's described something or the way he worded it with his use of figurative language. I especially love reading the parts about the Armenian culture and his experience with it and understanding of it. He truly is so talented and has such a gift."
-Virginia Oliva, English Teacher "For the past decade, Chuck's dedication to SOAR's orphaned population is unparalleled, as evidenced by his earmarking to SOAR all profits from this book. What makes Chuck so captivating is knowing that something new is always around the corner. A dentist by training, Chuck enjoys stand-up comedy and putting his experiences and feelings to paper. The 41 pieces in Tall Short Stories from the Mind of Garbo offers a wonderful flavor of Armenian optimism. Witty, poignant, encouraging, and insightful, Chuck's stories give you a glimpse into how Armenians perceive the world, how humor offers a measure of peace in our daily lives, and how easy life can be if relationships were grounded in altruism, trust, and mutual respect."
-George S. Yacoubian, Jr., Ph.D., LL.M., S.J.D., M.S., Founder of the Society for Orphan Armenian Relief - SOAR
