Myths of the EvergreensAnnouncing the Fourth Book for Houston’s Premier writer of captivating novels. C. A. Chimene is beginning his book tour, and you can now order the first edition of his newest masterpiece, Myths of the Evergreens, an outstanding novel of epic status.
Myths of the Evergreens is available at all the best bookstores, including Exlibris Book Store , Amazon , and Barnes and Noble. You will also be able to order from this web site, by emailing cchimene@juno.com.
This novel chronicles the latter years of the life of a handsome, single, and successful exploration geologist. Although he was somewhat still naïve in his early fifties, he struck off on a new and uncharted course, a path aimed at communicating with an ancient earthly life form. The unfolding story follows his love life, marriage, indiscretions, and surreptitious mailings from a major foreign power bent on a parallel path of species communication.
Caught up in the obsession for study and discovery, he finds himself trapped in a seemingly limitless odyssey of intrigue, and research into both geologic and mankind’s history, evolution, religion, myth, botany, mathematics, science, and the classic world. The sum of his and the foreigners’ research disclosed a number of astounding discoveries previously shrouded in the mystery of antiquity. These factors forced a reevaluation of his personal belief structure. The story reaches a climax as he confronts and communicates with a selected member of the “continuum”. The story ends in a miraculous epiphany.
The author, after his service in the military during WWII, graduated with a BS degree from the U of Texas in Austin, and later a MS degree in Geology with a minor in physics from the U of Houston. He was selected as a member of the SGE, the national geology honors fraternity. Some of his papers on exploration have been published in articles by The Oil & Gas Journal, other Exploration periodicals, the Journal of Sedimentary Petrology and Paleontology, and two separate Memoirs of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He has lectured extensively at AAPG conventions, Houston Geological Society, and meetings of the Houston Mesozoic Geologists Group. He was selected to present one of his papers during the World Geological Congress in Washington DC, 1989. His Masters Thesis in 1952 was the first one published from the U of Houston by any outside publishing company. Following his employment with the Quebec Minister of Mines he worked in the corporate world for 33 years rising to the position of VP in charge of domestic exploration for hydrocarbons of a large American corporation, heading a staff of roughly 100. Retired in 1985, he formed a family corporation and still runs it.
He began writing fiction in 1988 and has published three volumes of short stories. This is his first novel.
This anthology of short stories is told in a
Runyonesque narrative that is at times nonplused and at other times
cynical. This style may sound a bit rough to the uninitiated reader at
first, but the author believes it helps bring a presence to these
stories. He also believes the narration helps to weld these stories
together in a humorous manner that meshes well with the story themes.
He writes of his friends and acquaintances, their foibles, triumphs and
disasters, and their unique views of reality. Many of the characters
are still alive today and commune with each other more than just
occasionally. They grew up together during the great depression and
reached their teens during World War II. It is in 1942 Houston that the
book opens with the story of Bobo, Dago and the "50 guys." This is the
first of four stories designed to introduce the reader to the town and
some of the main characters of the book. In these stories you will meet
Bobo, Dago, Eagle, Toad, Ice Cream, Rock Spoon and the female objects
of their affections, along with a number of other characters whom were
fixtures of the area in those turbulent times. Most of the names have
been blurred to protect the individual’s privacy where
applicable.
The next six stories highlight their college years from the particular perspective of Houston during the halcyon days following the end of hostilities in World War II through the fighting in Korea. The religious, political and psychological attitudes of these young veterans reflect the times in Houston and become the backdrop to these humorous tales. In them you meet Mr. Cool, Corky, Sweet Lindley, H.R. Matuzere (from France), Majestic Elk, Dean and a bevy of their party girls. The standouts of whom are Athena St. John (Syngin), Betty Pasturizer, Anna Mae, Peggy Magowah and Muffin Warmsley.
Following a nine-year hiatus between 1952 and 1961, which hopefully will be addressed in future publications, the stories restart on an almost yearly basis. The characters are now in their thirties, and are professional men in various commercial fields of endeavor in the booming and expanding metropolis of Greater Houston. These latter stories explore improvisational humor; fame and altruism; conscience and Zen; lust, Hamlet-like indecision and eroticism; macho attitudes, "Moments of Truth" a la E. Hemingway, from a different, quite unexpected and possibly perverse view. A typical hot night in Houston with the FSLG & CES (Fine South Louisiana Geologists & Crawfish Eating Society) explores the profession, more erotic Texas beauties, and some typical Texas characters. The "Railey-Jean Catastrophe" discusses quantum physics, misplaced religious conscience with a touch of Tourette’s Syndrome and uncontrollable passion. In the "Perfect Mate" we live one man’s destructive search for the perfect woman. "Satori" is a story of Christmas Cheer in a modern Houston tradition and the psychological changes that spontaneously occur to change Bobo’s life from sloth to the sublime. "The Dean" explores the folly of a man chasing the intellectual infinite. The sexual connection of the natives to football is the subject of "Football’s Freudian Hook." In "The Truth…" we encounter the macho Gumbo and the problem he finds himself enmeshed in caused by an (innocent?) omission of truth in a marital discussion, complicated by Nazis in our midst. Tucked away in the humorous tale of "The Gazpacho Kid" is a classic Texas-Mexican feud. In "… Light in Her Eyes" is a problematic tale of horror, delusion and fear in a backward mountainous area behind the iron curtain. With "The Mad Dog," a new series of four stories begins. The setting of these stories is a once famous Houston jazz bistro, The Paradise Bar & Grill. In these we meet the owner and discover things we didn’t know about rabies, the martyred Saints, death and the bomb. Next we discover more than we wanted to know about Paris and the Parisians in "Nouveau Beaujolais." There is a class reunion of sorts when we meet the "Big Time Kid" and other assorted characters including an Irish Goddess, Hair-lip Hale and Bill Cranberry. "Entropy," is the last of this series, as the bust in oil prices in the middle1980’s caused a great depression in Houston, and most of it and the Paradise had to close down. In this story the reader experiences the erratic nature of time itself, as clocks spiral out of control. The "Big Time Kid" returns for an encore in this tale of murder. Rock Spoon, General Tso, and Subutai, the great Mongol Commander, all play a part in this story of the power of numbers, wit, revenge and cynicism. Finally, the last story, "The Holey Grail" (not a misspelling), explores the mythic realms of some of Joseph Campbell’s famous writings and attempts to put a bit into a modern day context.
I feel this book breaks new ground in original, readable and humorous tales. More of this continuing saga is planned for the future.
Buy Hot Nights in Houston from Amazon
Looking
for a fast read with a lot of laughs mixed into your history,
philosophy
and drama? Look no farther! This is it! In the "Memoirs" you'll meet a
true,
old-time Texas entrepreneur, one hard to forget. Spider Jack will take
you on a fantastic
romp around the world with his quaint metaphors from just before WWII
trough the
"Cold War."
In "Strange Inventions" you'll meet the improbable inventors, their strange contrivances and sample the epic poetry that immortalized them as the author mimics the style of your favorite poets. "Short People" will allow you to peer with glee into the lives of these infamous small ones with a clear conscience, as all of their stories have a moral.
You'll meet the dangerous Japanese "Tiger of Borneo." The incredible Guy Veaudeaux, a short, French resistance fighter, and famous cork-soaker. You'll meet a real Gnome of Zurich and the Dead Sea Trolls. You'll marvel at the truth behind the famous Hollywood movie "Viva Zapata" and have a brush with real Irish leprechauns. In "Truth Stranger or Fiction" you'll find the fun and how far a search for truth can lead you. Whether he is poking fun at the ancient Greek Philosophers, exposing the mirth in the Seventh Flag over Texas, or telling the hilarious story behind Napoleon's first battle against rockets in 1812, you'll find the author's use of language uniquely enjoyable.
The following short stories: "The Looming Glower in the Gloaming," "The Laahaz" and "Noblesse Oblige" all showcase the author's droll wit and irony, and show just how far the author will go to please you. "The 'Z' File" will whisk you to the future and back through the pages of time to mankind's original beginnings, as divined by all-seeing scholars of the future, in a way that shocks and convinces the reader with its incisive wit and comedic whimsy. Finally, with the Caliph of Frankistan," you'll meet an improbable pair of depression horse-race touts and their zany adventures at Epsom Downs, Houston's first racetrack. You'll meet a passel of quite interesting folk, from little Marvin, the Maestro and sweet Miss Emma Jean to the mobsters from Chicago. Alas, a more comic, yet poignant story will be hard to find.
Buy The Memoirs of Spider Jack Yates from Amazon
This
collection of short stories spans most of the 20th Century in and
around southwest Houston. It features many humorous attitudes and
characteristics of the people, places and changing times.
The book is subdivided into three parts, beginning with “The
Early Years”, stories set in the pre and post WWII period.
The 2nd section, entitled “More Hot Nights in Houston”
contains stories from 1957 to 1997 narrated in a Runyonesque style
similar to Chimene’s first book. The last section contains
three “Houston Sci-Fi” stories. The first is a
novella of a Houston in a parallel world.
If you have trouble ordering a copy of either of these books from amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, or AuthorHouse.com., you may order a copy of either or both books direct from the author. If you would like the author to sign the book on the inside cover and add a copy of your desired personal inscription, just mail a copy of the inscription along with your personal check or cash to C. A. Chimene, P.O.Box 35992, Houston, Texas, 77235. Please include a note indicating the number of copies of each book you are ordering. The book or books will be sent to your return address postpaid. Send $14.00 for each copy of "Hot Nights in Houston", and $10.00 for each copy of The Memoirs of "Spider Jack Yates and other Strange Tales". Include postage sufficient to ship the books back to you. If you desire you can correspond directly with the Author through e-mail via cchimene@juno.com. Both books are 5" x 8" paperbacks.