Books by John Kendrick Bangs

When a mysterious houseboat appears on the river Styx, it brings an influx of famous souls who begin to flock towards the new favored location. A House-Boat on the Styx is a series of different stories that tie into one exciting narrative. Charon is a mythological character who navigates the Styx river under the guidance of Hades. The water acts as a border between the living world and the afterlife. As a ferryman, Charon transports deceased souls across the river into the underworld. When a new houseboat suddenly arrives, he fears his services are no longer needed. The lost souls are drawn to the boat and begin to mingle in its many rooms. Its inhabitants include a variety of notable people from history and popular folklore.A House-Boat on the Styx is a fantasy novel that's set in the supernatural realm. It features familiar figures from the past and present (up to 1895) who meet in a shared space. It's filled with interactions that are humorous, intriguing and more importantly, entertaining.With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of A House-Boat on the Styx is both modern and readable.

Table of Contents: - A Toast To Santa Clause - The Conversion of Hetherington - A Merry Christmas Pie - The Child Who Had Everything But - A Holiday Wish - Santa Clause and Little Billee - Christmas Eve - The House of the Seven Santas - Extract: - "He was only a little bit of a chap, and so, when for the first time in his life he came into close contact with the endless current of human things, it was as hard for him to "stay put" as for some wayward little atom of flotsam and jetsam to keep from tossing about in the surging tides of the sea. His mother had left him there in the big toy-shop, with instructions not to move until she came back, while she went off to do some mysterious errand. She thought, no doubt, that with so many beautiful things on every side to delight his eye and hold his attention, strict obedience to her commands would not be hard." - John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) was an American author, editor and satirist.

You see, about ten years ago the people of Cimmeria got rather tired of the condition of their streets. They were badly paved. They were full of good intentions, but the citizens thought they ought to have something more lasting...Sometimes a shade has to do what a shade has to do. The Americanization of Hades has brought with it upheaval and golf. The late James Boswell has a newspaper to run, and thus he borrows the Enchanted Typewriter of the amazed author. Thus it's explained how the various tales from Hades came about in our living world and why he managed to bicycle with so many unseen companions at once.