A hamper of drama and comedy, spin dried and folded inside the coolest laundromat in town. Now available in ebook format from Fictionwise and in paperback format from lulu.com.
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Saturday morning in the Washing Green Laundromat, and three people come together in a triangle of interest …
So far, so routine. But in Heavy Load the characters' only interaction is through glances, gestures, covert stares, never exchanging a word – and it's the laundromat itself that narrates the story, going into the characters' bodies, living through turning points in each character's life in never-ending cycles.
By the end of the story the characters' lives have touched enough to give each a chance at a new beginning, and the laundromat has told a few of its own humorous stories – and given some valuable laundry tips.
Award-winning writer Biff Mitchell's first novel is something truly unusual, and a tour de force of wit, compassion and acute observation of the modern scene.
Things get dirty … things get clean …
Excerpt
I call her Mrs Big Black Purse. She's never been inside me with her laundry so I've never had a chance to get inside her, but I see her every weekday right across the street from me, at the bus stop. She gets there at three thirty prompt, and stares expectantly up the street in the direction the bus is going to come. Every day, rain, snow, or sun, she wears the same light gray overcoat, a faded kerchief over her hair, and laced-up leather boots. She has a long nose and deep eyes and, strapped over her left shoulder, she carries a big black purse, a huge black purse that bulges at her side.
For the first few minutes she stares quietly up the street, and then starts to mutter to herself. Then she opens her big black purse and rummages around inside it, and stares up the street again, muttering louder now. As the minutes pass, she walks a few feet up the street, staring with angry eyes in the direction of the bus and her mutterings intensify to shouts, and subside as she returns to the bus stop, rummages in her purse and, finding nothing that she wants to take out of it, stares back in the direction of the bus and shouts and swears. She walks menacingly a few feet away from the bus stop, shaking her fist in the direction of the bus, only to fall silent and return to the bus stop to rummage again through her big black purse.
And this goes on for exactly fifteen minutes every weekday from three thirty to three forty-five when, finally, the bus pulls up and she steps aboard without a word, without a trace of anger or impatience, and pays her fare and walks quietly to a seat as the bus pulls away.
I wonder what the bus driver thinks when he sees her expressionless face climbing up the steps towards him. Sweet old lady?
Professional Reviews
Review from WordWeaving
Fascinating and unusual -- Very highly recommended
The Washing Green is a bit unusual. It is a laundromat that is actually a senescent being capable of exploring the memories and thoughts of the humans within its building. Filled with energy, enthusiasm and motivation, the laundromat proves to be a microcosm of life, investigating, exploring and seeking explanation for the motives of its temporary inhabitants who remain oblivious to its special understanding.
The Washing Green makes fascinating observations as people enter the building. Sally, a mother of three and poverty stricken, cherishes an expensive sweater gifted to her by her parents. The sweater comes to represent her femininity and her hope for the future as she carefully washes and folds its luxuriant fabric. Baxter and Jeffry vie for the attention of the beautiful Hillary. Each character is wounded, caring a heavy load of pain and guilt, and each begins to find answers within the Washing Green.
Invigorating and irrepressibly optimistic, HEAVY LOAD by Biff Mitchell provides delightful entertainment. Beneath the humor lies a deep understanding of our darkest secrets. As the laundromat shares the glimpses of life that make us flawed, vulnerable and human, even the most repulsive of behavior and strangest of fetishes suddenly become understandable. A creative masterpiece, HEAVY LOAD comes very highly recommended.
Cynthia Penn editor@wordweaving.com
Senior Editor, http://wordweaving.com
Amazon top 50 reviewer
eBook Specialist, Midwest Book Reviews
Review from eBook Reviews Weekly
"Heavy Load" by Biff Mitchell
Publisher: biffmitchell.com
http://www.biffmitchell.com
Genre: Mainstream/Alternative
Weaving a story told by a Laundromat is unusual in itself,
especially when you tell it with the wit of Mr. Mitchell.
With the knowledge of "Hal" of Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey,
without the ability to take action, the Laundromat reports
the thoughts and spoken words of people involved in a love
triangle. With an amazing understanding of human life and
actions, the Laundromat tells its story convincingly. How
it accomplishes that feat is where imagination takes over.
This is not a story for the younger set. Mr. Mitchell's love
of the "F" and other four letter words make it one to keep
from the hands of children. His expertise in using descriptive
language is admirable and his tilt at writing humor is
successful. The characters are very well drawn and engaging.
To me this was a very funny book and one that is written with
great skill. Recommended for ADULT readers but definitely not
for those under the age of 18.
Douglas Large, eBook Reviews Weekly
Author of "Isolation"
http://www.mywebman.com
Review from Book Review Cafe
"Heavy Load" by Biff Mitchell//Published by biffmitchell.com//Copyright 2001//ISBN:0973279915//Rating: Four cups//
What an odd little book! But odd in a good way. This whole story is told by a laundromat. Here's the story.
The Washing Green is owned by Janie. She wanted to start her own business, and it turned out to be a laundromat. Janie has a ton of things to do in there, besides washing and drying clothes. There's the Poet's Corner, a study area and vending machines. Many people visit everyday. Some to wash clothes, and some to just hang out.
There are three people that the laundromat is really focusing on. Hillary, Baxter and Jeffry, who all came in to do a little clothes washing--and a little thinking too?. These young people all have something in common; they have all been hurt by someone in their lives. As the laundromat delves deeper into their subconscious, and into hidden memories, you get a sense of who they were and who they are now.
You are only in the laundromat for a short period of time, but it seems longer. Looking inside of these three minds makes you wonder now what everyone else is thinking!
Author Biff Mitchell has a unique writing style that makes this book a great read. The story is just out of the ordinary, which compelled me to read it. This sense of style he has is just what is needed to make this an enjoyable--and funny--read. Great job!
by LISA
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