What do you think?
Rate this book
The Laughter of Small Gods: A book of short stories, poetry, mumblings, and whispers.
129 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2024
About the author
William Widmaier
2 books3 followersWilliam Widmaier is an acclaimed author whose evocative storytelling, rich sensory prose, and emotional depth have earned him a loyal and growing readership. While he built a distinguished corporate career as a marketing and design executive—leading creative teams at companies such as EarthLink and Symantec—he long nurtured a parallel life as a writer, which ultimately became his full-time passion.
A versatile literary voice, Widmaier has worked as a magazine columnist, served as editor of The Memoirs Project (capturing oral histories of WWII veterans in collaboration with the French Consulate), written short stories and poetry, and succeeded as a produced feature film screenwriter. His debut novel, A Feast at the Beach (2010), is a critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical Franco-American coming-of-age tale set in the iconic coastal town of Saint-Tropez, France, where he spent much of his childhood.
In late 2020, Widmaier retired from corporate life in California and moved with his wife to southwestern France, where they purchased and restored a 265-year-old estate. There, amidst the region’s landscapes, culture, and cuisine that have long inspired his work, he now devotes himself fully to writing while creating a remarkable garden.
His collection The Laughter of Small Gods further showcases his range through short stories, poetry, and reflective pieces exploring love, nature, friendship, food, and the human condition. Widmaier’s work is celebrated for its masterful prose that lingers long after the final page.
Readers and critics alike eagerly await the anticipated release of his new novel, Tales of the Kraken: The Wolf with Two Legs, expected in late 2026.
Editorial Reviews
The Laughter of Small Gods
I have never met William Widmaier personally, but I owe him greatly for a good read.
"Mr. Widmaier's "short stories, poetry, mumblings, and whispers" awakened me. These snippets of human behavioral code made me excited to hit the road again in search of them. It's those little things that delight the traveler, the reader, the human in us.
"Through the bramble of the snippets of life and fantasy in The Laughter of Small Gods, Widmaier snakes the slightly longer Madame Chou Chou stories—stories which involve the author and his French friend Nicola as they dine on French cuisine and imbibe expensive wine while philosophizing, tempting the small gods looking on to intervene.
"And so they do, successfully.
"I urge you to buy this book. It's not expensive at all.
--James Martin, author & journalist,
Wandering Italy
"The small pleasures are numerous and eventually fill a plate… and then a platter. I read these slowly, carefully. Some are very brief, and often what's left unsaid is far more important than the words on the page, and the stories can reverberate with the impact of a small thunderclap."
--Bob Tarte, author, Enslaved by Ducks & Fowl Weather
"None of the 24 pieces in this pleasantly short book are written alike: expect to be swayed by the sensuality of a young flirtatious woman in a city that no longer is, to then be plunged into the sheer terror of discovering that an asteroid is coming straight at your house.
"This beautiful, loving mess is topped by tales of futuristic travelers, and a lonely warrior, with a sprinkle of French life and culture, for our utmost enjoyment.
"Un petit bijou", as we say in French. A little jewel."
-- The French Sophie
A Feast at the Beach:
“Best in new books”
--Bookviews, 2011
“I adore his book”
--San Francisco Book Review
“Evocative writing. A lovely book”
--Georgeanne Brennan. Award winning author of A Pig in Provence and The Foods and Flavors of Haute Provence
“A real pleasure”
-- Bonjour Paris
“Evokes both the novels of Marcel Pagnol and the photographs of Robert Doisneau.”
--French Morning magazine
“Filled with powerful flavors, scents, images and traditions”
-- The Provence Post
“Evocative st
A versatile literary voice, Widmaier has worked as a magazine columnist, served as editor of The Memoirs Project (capturing oral histories of WWII veterans in collaboration with the French Consulate), written short stories and poetry, and succeeded as a produced feature film screenwriter. His debut novel, A Feast at the Beach (2010), is a critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical Franco-American coming-of-age tale set in the iconic coastal town of Saint-Tropez, France, where he spent much of his childhood.
In late 2020, Widmaier retired from corporate life in California and moved with his wife to southwestern France, where they purchased and restored a 265-year-old estate. There, amidst the region’s landscapes, culture, and cuisine that have long inspired his work, he now devotes himself fully to writing while creating a remarkable garden.
His collection The Laughter of Small Gods further showcases his range through short stories, poetry, and reflective pieces exploring love, nature, friendship, food, and the human condition. Widmaier’s work is celebrated for its masterful prose that lingers long after the final page.
Readers and critics alike eagerly await the anticipated release of his new novel, Tales of the Kraken: The Wolf with Two Legs, expected in late 2026.
Editorial Reviews
The Laughter of Small Gods
I have never met William Widmaier personally, but I owe him greatly for a good read.
"Mr. Widmaier's "short stories, poetry, mumblings, and whispers" awakened me. These snippets of human behavioral code made me excited to hit the road again in search of them. It's those little things that delight the traveler, the reader, the human in us.
"Through the bramble of the snippets of life and fantasy in The Laughter of Small Gods, Widmaier snakes the slightly longer Madame Chou Chou stories—stories which involve the author and his French friend Nicola as they dine on French cuisine and imbibe expensive wine while philosophizing, tempting the small gods looking on to intervene.
"And so they do, successfully.
"I urge you to buy this book. It's not expensive at all.
--James Martin, author & journalist,
Wandering Italy
"The small pleasures are numerous and eventually fill a plate… and then a platter. I read these slowly, carefully. Some are very brief, and often what's left unsaid is far more important than the words on the page, and the stories can reverberate with the impact of a small thunderclap."
--Bob Tarte, author, Enslaved by Ducks & Fowl Weather
"None of the 24 pieces in this pleasantly short book are written alike: expect to be swayed by the sensuality of a young flirtatious woman in a city that no longer is, to then be plunged into the sheer terror of discovering that an asteroid is coming straight at your house.
"This beautiful, loving mess is topped by tales of futuristic travelers, and a lonely warrior, with a sprinkle of French life and culture, for our utmost enjoyment.
"Un petit bijou", as we say in French. A little jewel."
-- The French Sophie
A Feast at the Beach:
“Best in new books”
--Bookviews, 2011
“I adore his book”
--San Francisco Book Review
“Evocative writing. A lovely book”
--Georgeanne Brennan. Award winning author of A Pig in Provence and The Foods and Flavors of Haute Provence
“A real pleasure”
-- Bonjour Paris
“Evokes both the novels of Marcel Pagnol and the photographs of Robert Doisneau.”
--French Morning magazine
“Filled with powerful flavors, scents, images and traditions”
-- The Provence Post
“Evocative st
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 20, 2024
The Laughter of Small Gods is the kind of book you want on hand when you're spending a lazy Sunday curled up on the couch or sunning by the pool.
It is a wonderful collection of small vignettes and poems. Some connect to each other, like the Madame Chou Chou stories. Some are self contained observations or studies of a scene or person - almost like a little painting. Some are ideas that start and sometimes wrap up a bit too quickly for me.
The thing I like best about the musings is that they each could be developed into a longer story or novel, but William leaves it to the reader to expand on those stories in your mind. There is a lot of French imagery, and this theme of "coming Home" that is scattered in some of the pieces. Home is portrayed as a place of rest and almost a reward for the aches and pains of life. Some of the stories like The Ticketmaster and the Traveler give an abstract modern vision, reminding me at times of the work of Paul Auster. Then others are simple and poignant, echoing of lost love, like the story Jennifer. The Madame Chou Chou stories which are scattered throughout the book anchor the reader with familiar characters, and appear like repeated elements in a symphony.
I highly recommend the book as one that you can come back to and smile (or maybe even laugh) at the scenes played out on the pages.
It is a wonderful collection of small vignettes and poems. Some connect to each other, like the Madame Chou Chou stories. Some are self contained observations or studies of a scene or person - almost like a little painting. Some are ideas that start and sometimes wrap up a bit too quickly for me.
The thing I like best about the musings is that they each could be developed into a longer story or novel, but William leaves it to the reader to expand on those stories in your mind. There is a lot of French imagery, and this theme of "coming Home" that is scattered in some of the pieces. Home is portrayed as a place of rest and almost a reward for the aches and pains of life. Some of the stories like The Ticketmaster and the Traveler give an abstract modern vision, reminding me at times of the work of Paul Auster. Then others are simple and poignant, echoing of lost love, like the story Jennifer. The Madame Chou Chou stories which are scattered throughout the book anchor the reader with familiar characters, and appear like repeated elements in a symphony.
I highly recommend the book as one that you can come back to and smile (or maybe even laugh) at the scenes played out on the pages.
April 28, 2026
The Laughter of Small Gods is one of those quiet, unexpected gems. Each story feels like a brief glimpse into someone’s life simple moments that somehow carry real emotional weight.
There’s no single theme, but that’s what makes it work. The mix of love, nature, humor, and reflection feels honest and human. Some stories will make you smile, others will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
The Madame Chou Chou series is a standout and adds a nice touch of continuity.
If you enjoy thoughtful, slightly whimsical short stories that leave an impression, this book is definitely worth your time.
There’s no single theme, but that’s what makes it work. The mix of love, nature, humor, and reflection feels honest and human. Some stories will make you smile, others will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
The Madame Chou Chou series is a standout and adds a nice touch of continuity.
If you enjoy thoughtful, slightly whimsical short stories that leave an impression, this book is definitely worth your time.
January 18, 2025
This is an enjoyable book of micro fiction. Stories that describe just a few moments in time.
Snapshots.
Vignettes.
Snapshots.
Vignettes.
July 8, 2025
a good one
This was a surprise, and a grand one at that, would love more of this. My only problem was I couldn’t put it down and it went rather quickly.
This was a surprise, and a grand one at that, would love more of this. My only problem was I couldn’t put it down and it went rather quickly.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews