Lillian H. Smith Blog

On Monday March 18th at 6pm, Lillian H Smith is very happy to be hosting Nic Labriola's debut collection of short stories, Francis and the Animals.

The author will read excerpts from his new book, Francis and the Animals; talk about this collection of short stories; and afterwards answer questions from the audience.  Baked goods and warm drinks will be provided by Leaping Lion Books.                            

Nic Labriola was born into a family for whom laughter meant hope, and stories, survival. Constantly risking absurdity, Nic writes stories, poems, plays and songs as a way to understand his part in the human zoo. His first collection of poetry, Naming the Mannequins, was published in 2009. Francis and the Animals comprises fiction written over the past 10 years, up to and including three weeks before the manuscript went into production. Nic teaches literature and writing at Seneca College. He lives in Toronto. 

Nic Labriola's debut collection of short stories shows us what happens when the drive to fit in is overcome by the burning need to stand out. It’s when you laugh at a funeral, when you fall in love with a stranger, when you let loose or break down or brawl for the first time. It’s coming back to a soul you thought you’d lost; it’s uncovering the truth about a soul you thought you knew. It’s the unbearable pressure of dissatisfaction, and it's the messy release of indulgence. Set in the darkness of everyday life in the city, Francis and the Animals gives us a series of urban fables—a surreal bundle of laughable misadventures and tragic missteps on the unavoidable hike for individuality in an unaccommodating environment.  It's sure to be a great program, so swing by and join us in meeting room B/C.  Copies of Francis and the Animals will be available for purchase.  For more information please call 416-393-7746. 

Francis and the Animals is published by fourth-year students in the Professional Writing Program at York University under Leaping Lion Books.