"Join Gaston, an inquisitive and adventurous feline, on an extraordinary journey through the wondrous landscapes of Marina Willows. In his quest for cosmic enlightenment, Gaston encounters an array of enchanting characters, from whimsical parrots and bright snakes to the mysterious Ciguapa with backward feet. Guided by the Sages of infinite wealth, power, adventure, kindness, and beauty, Gaston embarks on a mission to unlock the universe's deepest secrets. As the story unfolds, explore the dazzling landscapes, breathtaking encounters, and the transformative power of the overflowing well in 'Mister Universe.' This captivating tale celebrates the multifaceted dimensions of life, from boundless power to infinite love, all within the embrace of Marina Willows and the expanse of the universe."

Seventeen-year-old Michael goes to visit his eccentric mad-scientist uncle while he's busy working on yet another time-travel experiment. In the cluttered lab, Michael's uncle barely notices him. And he keeps muttering things like “quantum multiverse transporter," so Michael has to entertain himself. Which is how Michael accidentally ends up in an alternate universe. Everything looks remarkably similar to his own world but with a few key differences, like lizard men dressed in gray suits and three-wheeled vehicles. And then there's Emily, a sassy, confident girl who needs Michael's help before he can find his way back to his own dimension.

Four plays explore such human conflicts as those found between muscle men and drag queens, yuppies and the rural poor, and saints and sinners

George Oppenheimer Award for Best New American Playwright; Bryan Prize for Drama by the Fellowship of Southern Writers. In this collection, critically acclaimed novelist Jim Grimsley reveals his great gifts as a playwright in four powerful, award-winning plays presenting different worlds in collision and convergence. In "Mr. Universe," the rescue of a mute bodybuilder from the gritty streets of New Orleans by a couple of drag queens brings out the best and worst in them. In "The Lizard of Tarsus," an imprisoned Jesus (called J.) is interrogated by an ambitious follower, Paul of Tarsus. In "The Borderland," neighboring families representing two very different social classes are brought together during a storm. And in "Math and Aftermath," the two worlds of pornography and nuclear testing collide during a film shoot in the Marshall Islands. These plays (introduced by Romulus Linney, Reynolds Price, Kaye Gibbons, and Craig Lucas) demonstrate the differences that are matters of perception; together they establish Grimsley as a dramatist with imagination and nerve. A STAGE AND SCREEN BOOK CLUB selection.

Four plays explore such human conflicts as those found between muscle men and drag queens, yuppies and the rural poor, and saints and sinners

"Marina Willows" is a captivating narrative that immerses readers in a timeless realm where nature, the cosmos, and humanity are intricately interwoven. From the inception of this spiritual plane to the emergence of Mister Universe as its celestial guardian, the story unfolds in a world where water and the sun's energy breathe life into a puzzle of interconnected beings. In Marina Willows, every entity has lived countless lives, united by a simple rule: have fun. Magic becomes the key to unlocking the potential for dreams to come true, but the ultimate quest is the elusive overflowing well, a source of universal power and eternal wisdom, attainable through curiosity, knowledge, and love. The story takes readers on a journey through this enchanting world of Marina Willows...