The dozen stories in this collection chronicle the life of Karl Pringle, a wannabe philosopher who had once been enrolled in the graduate Philosophy program at the University of Toronto where he imagined himself as an Ubermensch, a Superman derived from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzche. But he was summarily dismissed from the program after punching out his academic supervisor. Now Karl lives in a decrepit apartment above a butcher shop in Toronto's Kensington Market, is unemployed and very much rootless. The stories in The Philosopher Stories follow Karl as he moves from one strange episode to another, none of which end well. Although Karl likes to think of himself as an Ubermensch, in the bleakest moments following his many mishaps, he seems to know better, that perhaps he is only fooling himself with his grandiose dreams. That he is nothing more than one of life's rejects, an out-and-out failure. Nuanced and multilayered, funny and yet achingly sad, these stories depict a young man grappling with life's big questions, including love, finding a place for oneself in an uncaring world, morality, success, and fate.
"Told through the self-deprecating voice of an aspiring philosopher whose life begins to unravel, the stories in this collection portray his slow descent into Toronto's urban underbelly. Vividly narrated with a keen eye for detail and a wry sense of humour, Levy's stories present a searing look at the darker side of Toronto life rarely depicted in fiction."
Sharon Hart-Green, author of Come Back For Me
"In his gritty yet touching collection, Jerry Levy brings the reader into the vibrant and diverse neighbourhood of Toronto's Kensington Market, seen through the eyes of Karl Pringle, a wanna-be philosopher who searches for meaning in a confusing world. Levy's finely-wrought observations, delivered with wry humour, empathy, and a touch of absurdity, make these thought-provoking stories a delight."
Lori Hahnel, author of Flicker
"Jerry Levy's new work of fiction centres around Karl Pringle, a feckless, self-proclaimed philosopher with delusions of grandeur and a penchant for getting himself into outlandish situations. These engaging stories showcase a smart, idiosyncratic and often humorous prose. But it's Levy's flair for the unexpected that will leave the reader begging for more."
