Synopses & Reviews
From the creator of
Hellboy, Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden is an illustrated novella that brings Twilight Zone originality to the written page In the aftermath of a critical World War II battle, Father Gaetano is assigned as the sole priest at the Church of San Domenico in the small, seaside Sicilian village of Tringale. The previous pastor has died and there is a shortage of clergy at the moment, so until another can be spared, the young priest must say all of the masses himself.
Mass is not Father Gaetanos only responsibility, however. The war has created many orphans, and thus the San Domenico rectory has been converted into an orphanage which is also his domain. The children are a joy to him, but they have lost so much, and many have begun to question their faith and their God, and his attempts to teach them catechism are in vain . . . until he finds an old puppet theatre and an ornate box of puppets in the basement. Handcrafted by the building's former caretaker, now absent, the puppets seem the perfect tool to get the children to pay attention to their lessons. But after dark the puppets emerge from that ornate box, without their strings. While the children have been questioning their faith, the puppets believe Father Gaetano's Bible stories completely. But there is such a thing as too much faith. And the children's lives will never be the same again.
Review
Praise for Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism:
“A fun, scary little story about possibly evil puppets in a orphanage after World War II. All right in the author's wheelhouses, and...would make a great gift for Neil Gaiman's All Hallow's Read holiday.” ― Comic Book Resources
“Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism goes beyond fluff to provide entertainment with substance, an all-too rare treat in our disposable times. Kudos to Golden and Mignola.” ― Fearnet
Praise for Joe Golem and the Drowning City:
"One of the most powerful 'neverwheres' of the modern fantastic imagination." —
The Wall Street Journal
“A story that grabs from the first page and doesnt let go.”—Tad Williams
“A warm, wicked, frantic tale of noble monsters and monstrous men…dreadful and sublime.”—Cherie Priest
“Mignolas affectionate, Kirby-esque portraits compliment Goldens imaginative, YA-friendly prose.” —Kirkus
“Unique and inventive…. Recommended for fans of Hellboy, dystopian novels, and those who like a little horror with their action stories.” —Library Journal
Review
Praise for Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism:
“A fun, scary little story about possibly evil puppets in a orphanage after World War II. All right in the author's wheelhouses, and...would make a great gift for Neil Gaiman's All Hallow's Read holiday.” ― Comic Book Resources
“Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism goes beyond fluff to provide entertainment with substance, an all-too rare treat in our disposable times. Kudos to Golden and Mignola.” ― Fearnet
Praise for Joe Golem and the Drowning City:
"One of the most powerful 'neverwheres' of the modern fantastic imagination." —
The Wall Street Journal
“A story that grabs from the first page and doesnt let go.”—Tad Williams
“A warm, wicked, frantic tale of noble monsters and monstrous men…dreadful and sublime.”—Cherie Priest
“Mignolas affectionate, Kirby-esque portraits compliment Goldens imaginative, YA-friendly prose.” —Kirkus
“Unique and inventive…. Recommended for fans of Hellboy, dystopian novels, and those who like a little horror with their action stories.” —Library Journal
Synopsis
In the aftermath of a critical World War II battle, Father Gaetano is assigned as the sole priest at the Church of San Domenico in the small, seaside Sicilian village of Tringale. The previous pastor has died, and now the young priest must say all of the masses himself. In addition, he is tasked with shepherding the wars many orphans taken in by the San Domenico rectory. The children are a joy, but his attempts to teach them the catechism are in vain until he finds an ornate box of puppets in the basement. By day the puppets are teaching tools, but after dark… they emerge from their box, without their strings. And the children's lives will never be the same again.
About the Author
MIKE MIGNOLA is best known as the award-winning creator/writer/artist of Hellboy. Mignola lives in southern California with his wife, daughter, and cat.
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of such novels as The Myth Hunters, The Boys Are Back in Town, Strangewood, and Of Saints and Shadows. He co-wrote the illustrated novel Joe Golem and the Drowning City with Mike Mignola. His next novel for St. Martin's, Snowblind, is due in January, 2014.