Outskirts Press, INC.

Review on AMAZON ***** : 5.0 out of 5 stars A World To Explore August 25, 2018 Vera Nova famously wrote "The world is marvelously designed to be creative." I buy into this whole-heartedly. The author is also quite an accomplished artist and her paintings and drawings add substance to the serious yet disarmingly hilarious and charming characters and incidents. Vera Nova's world is further developed to function in sync as an antidote to our modern civilization or in a parallel line in which a "good Truth" emerges from situations that would be deemed chaotic or even alien to life on earth. In these pages revelry marches hand-in-hand with sensitivity; the impossible is most natural and the beauty and charm of life amongst the Noble Society releases a measure of positivity. This is more than theater of the absurd, it is a commentary on Utopia, a true "wonder-world beyond time, space…" Pay a visit to the Village of Bullford where everything (mostly) works out for the common good, where the surprises of life offer solutions to unsolvable problems – and where Sir Thomas Moore would live happily ever after in the best of all possible worlds. Looking forward to the promised sequel! ~Victor Forbes Art Publisher/Critic/Writer

.............. “The sweet and amusing Utopian Bullford is unintentionally ridiculing our fundamental ideals and concepts, which are archaic and do not work for us for millennia.” C.M. History&Sciences

------------------------------- “Observing Vera Nova’s art under her innovative philosophy, one cannot help but feel a certain curiosity as to whether we are dealing here with simply a distinctive style.. or with fascinating cultural phenomena." “It is the breakthrough philosophy of the artist, which is the source of her captivating art statement.” ~ Charles W. Maes -Fine Art Magazine

---------------------------- “Challenging sweet little book, Vera.” Dr. Garman Harbottle /research professor nuclear chemistry/

--------------------------- “A wonderful exploration of human and social behavior. By brilliantly setting her stories in an imaginary place inhabited by unusual people, Vera Nova provides readers with an endless stream of provocative insights about the potential and limitations of the human psyche. A remarkable and revealing piece of work.” RONALD COMER Princeton University.

---------------------------- From the passionate book-lover: Take a vacation and leave the mad world for the delightfully funny wonder-world, “The Noble Society Of Bullford”! Enjoy and learn from its super-playful, fascinating wisdom. This is an absolute Classic.” Glenn O.

====================== VERY RICHLY ILLUSTRATED: THE AUTHOR HAS INCLUDED HER ORIGINAL COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS, WHICH ARE IMAGES FROM HER ORIGINAL PAINTINGS ON CANVAS. ANY OF THESE IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REPRODUCTION ON CANVAS OR PAPER. PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR FOR DETAILS: https://outskirtspress.com/thenoblesocietyofbullford

THE WAR STORY Part One MAYOR GENTLEGRILL OF Bullford was absolutely flabbergasted when he received an unexpected call in the middle of the night. The day was Friday in the month of February which had only Fridays and no other weekdays for the purpose of simplifying Society matters. That night Mr. Gentlegrill had fallen asleep in his day bed, on the top floor of his Mayor’s residency, when the communicating teacup suddenly began making “coo- coo” signals. Mr. Gentlegrill compelled himself to pick up the cup and pushed the “Yes?” button. An unknown, indifferent voice asked:“Is this a country?” Mr. Gentlegrill was somewhat unfamiliar with the term. “No, sir! I am a person!” “Not you! Bullford! A nation, then?” “Absolutely not!” “Is it a state?” asked the voice. When no answer was forthcoming, it tried again. “A place, perhaps?” “I beg your pardon, sir!” Mr. Gentlegrill responded to the mysterious voice at the other end of the communicating teacup. “First, permit me to ask how you would like to identify yourself? And second, what is the purpose of this call?” “I am the Overcrossworld Messenger and I am calling you to deliver the following information. Someone at this very moment has become your instant enemy and declared a state of war on Bullford.” When Mayor Gentlegrill said nothing, the voice repeated: “Bullford and its enemy are at war!” “Are we? Really?” Gentlegrill ran through his memory in an attempt to remember what “war” was. “We are a society of unique, free spirited minds. Am I, as an individual, in any position of responsibility in this matter?” he asked, buying time in some way for catching a little sense of a new to him situation. “You have a position of the highest military rank, Hereditary Field Marshal Gentlegrill!” the unknown voice replied. “Bullford is in danger and your Society must defend itself upon your personal commands. “I am instructed to give no instructions but advise you only by pointing out the exact location where you can reach your enemy – directly to the right side of your Mayor’s chair and twelve light-months away. Good night, sir.” The Overcrossworld Messenger hung up. The answer stopped Mr. Gentlegrill still as a mountain. He was at a loss. “Bullford is a society of individuals; a location is a state of mind, to be sure, but a state? A state of what? A nation? A Nation of what? Where in the world did they find that confusing, old fashioned nonsense? Hereditary Field Marshal Gentlegrill! Well, whatever I am,” he mumbled to himself and began falling asleep. In a matter of minutes a tremendously rising sense of duty awakened him.