Do What the Boss Says: Stories of Family and Childhood

by Michael Loveday

Do What the Boss Says: Stories of Family and Childhood is a collection of short-short stories exploring the adult-child dynamic. A daughter nervously visits her father who has now become a stranger; a young Irish girl substitutes a cardboard cut-out for her presence within her own family; a naïve schoolboy is tricked by a more streetwise passer-by; a child tries to impress her village by breaking the world record for stepping in and out of a doorway. This chapbook offers you a kaleidoscopic view of the pressures, conflicts and joys of childhood and family life: from surreal fables to memoir, to idiosyncratic realism, to ghost stories about weird encounters.

50 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2022

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly recommend this latest collection of Michael Loveday’s excellently observed stories. Once again he offers up a combination of humorous and disturbing scenes from individual lives, often through the slanted and distorted perspective of the protagonist. Each of these short pieces is a gem, revealing enough to intrigue but not spoon-feed the reader. A wonderful assortment of miniature sketches that will stay with you.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rare treat. A piercing collection of flash fiction around very familiar dynamics of family life, yet each warped and stretched to intensity as though Angela Carter does kitchen sink. It gets quite uncomfortable in places but is always strangely moving and often funny. And the writing! So natural and seemingly free-flowing, yet quite exceptionally precise. A joy!

[Stephanie Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each piece stabs into the heart of family dynamics: precise, playful, painful. Surprising and moving. Holds far more depth than its slim volume. Recommended.

[Valerie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely little read. Each story is evocative. I particularly love the musical tone throughout. Michael has a distinct voice that still resonates. Very well written and structured.