St Andrews academic’s short stories book published
Added: (Wed Aug 03 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Retired lecturer Leslie Stevenson is offering former students and many other readers a daily fix of humorous thought with his first collection of short stories.
For more than three decades the father-of-two taught philosophy at St Andrews University, and he has published several highly acclaimed academic books.
Over the past decade since retirement, Leslie has written The Theology of Scarecrows and Other Stories with a Philosophical Edge, which has been published to critical acclaim.
Leslie’s thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable stories have been described by reviewers as ‘charming’, ‘wonderful’, ‘highly recommended’, and (from over the Atlantic) as ‘full of Britishness’.
His anthology, which features stories such as The Taming of the Bandersnatch’ and ‘The Song of the Jubjub Bird’, concludes with the epic and deeply moving ‘Good Heavens!’
Although there are some echoes of Plato and Socrates within the 14 captivating stories, Leslie doesn’t believe any previous knowledge of philosophy or theology is required.
He writes: “Potential readers can be reassured that they don’t need to know anything about philosophy, and the unorthodox theology that comes into the title story hardly reappears until the last one, in which Heaven turn out to be what it’s cracked up to be.
The Theology of Scarecrows and Other Stories with a Philosophical Edge is an enjoyable collection of 14 stand-alone stories, set in Scotland as well as a few mythical kingdoms and even Heaven.
Leslie added: “The settings include the streets of Glasgow, a desolate Scottish islet, and the mythical kingdom of Jujubia, with hints of Lewis Carroll and Monty Python.”
Prior to the publication of The Theology of Scarecrows, Leslie has co-authored Thirteen Theories of Human Nature (now in its 7th edition with Oxford University Press, New York, translated into many languages), and The Many Faces of Science.
Now a grandfather, Leslie has served as Honorary Quaker Chaplain at St Andrews University, and has written Eighteen Takes on God and Open to New Light: An Introduction to Quaker Spirituality in Historical and Philosophical Context.
Away from his writing desk, Leslie has been a keen bassoon player, and since retiring has conducted a chamber ensemble. He follows in his father’s footsteps by painting landscapes.
For more details, visit Amazon and search for Leslie Stevenson, where the paperback and Kindle formats of The Theology of Scarecrows and Other Stories with a Philosophical Edge, are both available.
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