Anthologies featuring bestselling authors alongside rising stars. Short story collections from some of our beloved authors with Roald Dahl, Raymond Carver and Anita Desai among the better known
Anthologies & Short Stories
Soho Press Inc The Collected Stories Of Diane Williams
Book SynopsisAn extensive compendium of Diane Williams' works.
£14.39
The New Press Afterglow: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
Book SynopsisHopeful and forward-looking futuristic short stories that explore how the power of storytelling can help create the world we need “This is a glorious book that challenges our conceptions of bookmaking as much as it questions our conceptions of world-building. We, as earthlings, will be better to the earth after experiencing this book. That is not hyperbole.” —New York Times bestselling author Kiese LaymonAfterglow is a stunning collection of original short stories in which writers from many different backgrounds envision a radically different climate future. Published in collaboration with Grist, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions, these stirring tales expand our ability to imagine a better world. Inspired by cutting-edge literary movements, such as Afrofuturism, hopepunk, and solarpunk, Afterglow imagines intersectional worlds in which no one is left behind—where humanity prioritizes equitable climate solutions and continued service to one’s community. Whether through abundance or adaptation, reform, or a new understanding of survival, these stories offer flickers of hope, even joy, as they provide a springboard for exploring how fiction can help create a better reality. Afterglow welcomes a diverse range of new voices into the climate conversation to envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress. A creative work rooted in the realities of our present crisis, Afterglow presents a new way to think about the climate emergency—one that blazes a path to a clean, green, and more just future.Trade ReviewPraise for Afterglow:“[Afterglow] approaches climate change with hope for the radically different futures humans might create.”—The New York Times Book Review"This short story collection radiates radical imagination. . . . If you’re feeling bouts of climate anxiety or even apocalypse fatigue, Afterglow will remind you to keep the faith."—Sierra magazine“The twelve stories in the anthology Afterglow: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors . . . take readers into the future and across the globe to witness how humanity has persevered in the face of climate-crisis-induced destruction.”—ZYZZYVA“This sparkling anthology of 12 climate fiction stories distinguishes itself with its hopeful bent. . . . Offering a glimpse at imagined futures across the globe, this is a welcome lift to the spirits to those who may be struggling to see any brightness amid climate fears.”—Publishers Weekly“The art of storytelling is not only an act of memory and imagination, but one of hope and faith. These vivid and provocative stories represent a dreaming, a collective vision of future worlds where humanity has gathered itself, shared resources and wisdom, to arrive at a place of intentional action, health, and thriving. It is no small feat on the page or beyond to engage in such brave work. The tales of Afterglow offer the glimmers of possibility, the hard choices to be made, and the radiance of worlds not yet known but deeply needed.”—Sheree Renée Thomas, author of Black Panther: Panther’s Rage and Nine Bar Blues“Ultimately, I hope these stories reveal how our imaginations can help build a better reality—not only to serve as a guiding light, but to serve as a balm for these current, difficult times.”—Morgan Jerkins, bestselling author of This Will Be My Undoing
£12.99
Autumn House Press Entry Level
Book SynopsisTales of characters trying to find their way through the struggles of underemployment. Wendy Wimmer’s debut short story collection, Entry Level, contains a range of characters who are trying to find, assert, or salvage their identities. These fifteen stories center around the experience of being underemployed—whether by circumstance, class, gender, race, or other prevailing factors—and the toll this takes on an individual. Wimmer pushes the boundaries of reality, creating stories that are funny, fantastic, and at times terrifying. Her characters undergo feats of endurance, heartbreak, and loneliness, all while trying to succeed in a world that so often undervalues them. From a young marine biologist suffering from imposter syndrome and a haunting to a bingo caller facing another brutal snowstorm and a creature that may or not be an angel, Wimmer’s characters are all confronting an oppressive universe that seemingly operates against them or is, at best, indifferent to them. These stories reflect on the difficulties of modern-day survival and remind us that piecing together a life demands both hope and resilience. Entry Level was selected by Deesha Philyaw as the winner of the 2021 Autumn House Fiction Prize. Trade Review"This gleefully subversive debut presents fifteen weird, wild, and wonderful stories of everyday folk surviving in a world gone haywire. From a grieving man who gets texts from the dead to a roller rink that reverses aging, Entry Level, like its title story, is strange magic indeed." * People Magazine *"If punchy first sentences are to your taste, Wimmer’s Entry Level is the book for you. 'When Mary Ellen’s left breast grew back on its own during our Saturday dinner break, we had confirmation that something weird was happening.' Many intros seem designed to startle; several stories enter fantastical terrain. In the delightful 'Texts from Beyond,' a company purportedly helps people send messages to deceased relatives. Equally affecting are stories more rooted in the real, where Wimmer gets closer to character and emotion, such as 'Billet-Doux,' told via unsent letters addressed to celebrities, random people, inanimate objects, a recurring guy on the BART and the protagonist herself." * Washington Post *"An intriguing, wide-ranging story collection with a hint of magic. The real and the surreal drive the 15 stories in this debut, many of which have been previously published in other formats. . . . The elements of magical realism are presented without fanfare, and Wimmer succeeds in creating a world where they are entirely plausible. Fans of Karen Russell, Veronica Schanoes, and Connie Willis are all likely to find stories to enjoy in the collection, as Wimmer blends traditional literary fiction with a touch of the fantastic. Vivid, thought-provoking stories make an enjoyable and challenging book. * Kirkus (starred review) *"Wimmer’s innovative and darkly humorous debut collection employs emergency situations and fantastical elements as the protagonists struggle to make a living with low-paying jobs. . . . When Mary Ellen, who had a mastectomy, discovers her breast has regrown, the narrator’s understated reaction perfectly sums up the mood of Wimmer’s characters: 'We had confirmation that something weird was happening.' Throughout, Wimmer makes the most of strange situations." * Publishers Weekly *“In the world of Entry Level, no job is too small, nor is it ever just a job. In cities and across rural landscapes and dreamscapes, we find clerks and corpses, mothers and daughters, cruise entertainers and scientists, grappling with longing and loss. The stories are, at turns, heartfelt and hilarious, wry and whimsical, full of magic and mayhem. These are well-crafted love stories, ghost stories, and stories of everyday people just trying to navigate life’s cruelties and impossibilities. Wimmer writes with an intimacy and immediacy that take you down a fresh rabbit hole from the first line, each time. Each tale is as smart, exquisite, and surprising as the next. I really didn’t want this collection to end!” -- Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies"The stories in Entry Level are propulsive, funny, delightfully unpredictable, and utterly addictive. Wimmer is a true original—a bright star of her generation. Here’s hoping Entry Level is the beginning of a long, fruitful career!" -- Dan Chaon, author of SleepwalkTable of ContentsPasseridaeGhosting Where She Went Fuse Lower Midnight INGOB Skate QueenTexts from beyond Flarby OsculationCar people Intersomnolence Billet Doux Feðgin The Bog King
£12.00
Catapult Disinheritance
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£22.94
Seven Stories Press,U.S. The Neon Wilderness
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Catapult Hao
Book Synopsis
£14.39
Catapult Seeking Fortune Elsewhere: Stories
Book Synopsis
£14.39
Astra Publishing House Beyond All Reasonable Doubt Jesus Is Alive
Book Synopsis
£20.40
The New York Review of Books, Inc Girlfriends, Ghosts, And Other Stories
Book Synopsis"Girlfriends, Ghosts, and Other Stories brings together eighty-one brief texts spanning Robert Walser''s career, from pieces conceived amid his early triumphs to later works written at a psychiatric clinic in Bern. Many were published in the feuilleton sections of newspapers during Walser''s life; others were jotted down on slips of paper and all but forgotten. Together they string together small nutshells of consciousness, idiosyncratic and vulnerable, genuine in their irony, wistful in their humor. The portraits and landscapes here are observed with tenderness and from a place of great anxiety. Some dwell on childish or transient topics--carousels, the latest hairstyles, an ekphrasis of the illustrations in a picture book--others on the grand themes of nature, art, and love. But they remain conversational, almost lighter than air. Every emotion ventured takes on the weight of a sincerity that is imperiled as soon as it comes into contact with the outside world, which retains all of the novelty it had in childhood--and all of the danger. Walser''s speakers are attuned to the silent music of being; students of the ineffable and neighbors to madness, they are now exhilarated, now paralyzed by frequencies inaudible to less sensitive ears"--
£14.24
The New York Review of Books, Inc Compulsory Games
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Austin Macauley Publishers LLC Sitting on a Park Bench
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Honford Star The Age of Doubt
Book Synopsis
£10.79
Biblioasis Sea Loves Me: Selected Stories
Book SynopsisAn NPR Best Book of 2021 New and selected fiction, over half in English for the first time, from the winner of the 2014 Neustadt Prize. Known internationally for his novels, Neustadt Prize-winner Mia Couto first became famous for his short stories. Sea Loves Me includes sixty-four of his best, thirty-six of which appear in English for the first time. Covering the entire arc of Couto's career, this collection displays the Mozambican author's inventiveness, sensitivity, and social range with greater richness than any previous collection—from early stories that reflect the harshness of life under Portuguese colonialism; to magical tales of rural Africa; to contemporary fables of the fluidity of race and gender, environmental disaster, and the clash between the countryside and the city. The title novella, long acclaimed as one of Couto's best works but never before available in English, caps this collection with the lyrical story of a search for a lost father that leads unexpectedly to love.Trade ReviewPraise for Sea Loves Me "Mia Couto’s words help weave the story of Mozambique. Couto’s language is enriched by his country’s idioms, voices—and possibilities."—New York Times“A worthy ... introduction to a unique and atmospheric African writer’s work.”—Kirkus “Couto employs his haunting lyricism ... to examine the burdens of race, history, and culture in the aftermath of Mozambique’s 1974 independence from Portugal ... Mia Couto’s multivalent vision also manifests in the seamless merging of author and translators, original and translated texts ... Like Mia Couto’s aesthetic effort to render whole the many facets of his contradictory identity, the translators’ linguistic dance simultaneously pays homage to his original fiction, and gives birth to its autonomous and indelible existence in English.”—Asymptote “The stories offer a kaleidoscopic vision of Couto’s world, deeply rooted in Mozambique but imbued with an ethereal, otherworldly quality. Often in just a few pages, Couto is able to breathe life into a variety of characters … Sea Loves Me is a thrilling addition to Couto’s extraordinary body of work, bringing together new and old stories that evoke past and present Mozambique, memories and dreamscapes, natural and spirit worlds. War, race, sky and sea, death and desire—these are just a few of the eternal elements Couto uses to mold his wise, enchanting fiction.”—World Literature Today “Mozambican writer Couto (Woman of the Ashes) draws on African proverbs for a captivating collection of 64 brief, aphoristic stories, set mostly in Mozambique … There are captivating stories of people at the margins … Many entries elude easy interpretation, making them all the more haunting. Each story contains enchanting insights into human nature.”—Publishers Weekly “Stunning … Packed with an incredible 64 stories, Sea Loves Me features 36 of Couto’s pieces translated to English for the first time ever, including the titular novella. With a voice that immediately grabs you, it's a great entry for readers new to Couto and a treat for those already acquainted with his sharp, wise, playful, and absorbing writing.”—Open Book "Extraordinary ... Begin anywhere, with any story, and you as reader are safe within Couto’s world. The imagination is without limit, the poetic force is exhilarating and often disturbing, while the surprise of some is breathtaking ... Couto is as much a master of the pointed anecdote as the longer tale."—Winnipeg Free Press "What makes his stories so special is the way in which he manages to describe even the most violent events as if they were coated in honey. There are no sharp edges in Couto’s writing, no matter how much desperation and darkness the scenario he describes contains. Everything seems taken out of a dream, and reading his books is like being constantly, softly lulled into the story ... This collection offers a perfect glimpse into Couto’s writing, and it’s a great pathway into his novels."—Book Riot "Covering the entire arc of Couto’s career, this collection displays the Mozambican author’s inventiveness, sensitivity, and social range with greater richness than any previous collection"—Portuguese American Journal Praise for Mia Couto “Mia Couto’s stories of civilisation and barbarity are told through a language that is precise and profound; he weaves together the living tradition of legend, poetry and song.”—International Man Booker shortlist jury citation “These literary fragments are dreamy but hopeful responses to Mozambique’s violent past, magical tales that find solace in the wisdom of rivers and trees, fishermen and fortune tellers, children and blind men … Couto’s stories are rooted yet timeless, both whimsical and deeply spiritual.”—Vanity Fair “[Couto is] a brilliant aphorist. There are countless sentences that … have the weight and wisdom of ancient proverbs.”—Wall Street Journal “Couto’s narrative tone, at once deadpan and beguiling, and his virtuoso management of time place him alongside the best Latin American magic realists.”—Times Literary Supplement “One of the greatest living writers in the Portuguese language … [Couto] cracks open a welcoming window onto a vast world of literary pleasures.”—The Millions
£13.29
Biblioasis Shimmer
Book SynopsisNominated for the 2023 ReLit Award for Short FictionIn ten vividly told stories, Shimmer follows characters through relationships, within social norms, and across boundaries of all kinds as they shimmer into and out of each other’s lives. Outside a 7-Eleven, teen boys Veeper and Wendell try to decide what to do with their night, though the thought of the rest of their lives doesn’t seem to have occurred to them. In Laurel Canyon, two movie stars try to decide if the affair they’re having might mean they like each other. When Byron, trying to figure out the chords of a song he likes, posts a question on a guitar website, he ends up meeting Jessica as well, a woman with her own difficult music. And when the snide and sharp-tongued Twyla agrees to try therapy, not even she would have imagined the results.Trade ReviewPraise for Shimmer"Looking at Shimmer as a whole, one is struck by Pugsley’s mastery of the short-story form, his ability to distil entire lives’ worth of meaning into a few short pages. He’s not just a writer to watch: he’s a writer to savour."—Robert Wiersema, Toronto Star"Alex Pugsley is one of our greatest living writers. He is like a Canadian James Joyce, only if James Joyce grew up hanging out in the parking lots of rundown 7-Elevens and pow-wowing on the grimy floors of divey rock & roll clubs."—The Colorado Sun"His greatest gift as a writer is, I believe, his ability to carry dialogue ... a brave departure from the highly-praised Aubrey McKee."—Miramichi Reader"Pugsley brings out the confusion of life well. No one is in control. Everyone has doubts about themselves and others. His ability to show the twists and turns of our constant, anxious questioning of ourselves makes each story revelatory in a different way. A truly impressive collection!"—Ottawa Review of Books"[Pugsley's] story proves that the digital mode of communication, while frequently castigated as impersonal and dehumanizing, can, in the right hands, carry with it strong emotional resonance."—Steven Beattie, That Shakespearean Rag"Pugsley excels at putting life on the page, mainly because he uses a profusion of concrete details. He out-Dickens Dickens. And it works."—Maple Tree Literary Supplement“Alex Pugsley’s Shimmer (2022) offers a character for every reading mood...poignant and moving.”—Buried in PrintPraise for Aubrey McKee“Aubrey McKee is no austere, white-walled art gallery of a novel. It’s abundant, highly decorated, and unafraid of extravagance, of stylistic excess ... From ordinary incidents—a childhood acquaintance, marital strife, a wedding—as well as a few extraordinary ones, Aubrey McKee builds a dazzling and complicated world, a childhood in Halifax as a vibrant universe in itself. While Pugsley’s literary performance is an immediate delight, the portrait of the early days of a 'wayward oddity' lingers long after.”—Toronto Star “Evoking comparisons in both style and substance to the work of John Irving and Robertson Davies in its assemblage of perceptive, richly detailed character studies ... The life of a Canadian city is revealed with verve and insight.”—Kirkus “Although many peoples’ stories comprise the whole of Aubrey McKee, the city of Halifax is also a feature character ... the reverence Pugsley provides about Halifax will resonate with anyone thinking about their own hometown, no matter its size or location ... The richly defined personalities in Aubrey McKee are void of pretense or judgment and are, at once, knowable. Like a favourite song, it’s the hook that makes the adventures of Aubrey McKee and those he cares about so memorable.”—Winnipeg Free Press "Pugsley, equal parts poet and meticulous historian of his own private Halifax, has accomplished, with “Aubrey McKee,” a work of high literary art, remaking and claiming the city as his own once again in a sustained performance that pulses with that deep, radical love."—John Delacourt, The Ottawa Review of Books “The mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic Halifax depicted in Aubrey McKee is as enchanted as it is benighted, an adolescent fever-dream. This is a rollicking, strange and unforgettable coming of age novel unlike anything you've ever read.”—Lynn Coady, Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author of Hellgoing “His prose style is among the finest anywhere: humorous, economical, deft without sacrificing accessibility, capable of laying bare the complicated depths, the tenderness, and the strangeness of personal relationships.”—Roo Borson, Griffin Poetry Prize-winning author of Short Journey Upriver Toward Oishida “Alex Pugsley’s novel, Aubrey McKee, is a whip-smart portrait of the artist at the end of the twentieth century. Funny and wildly intelligent, it captures a somewhat tragic cohort of young, ambitious Haligonians trying to become themselves, all seen through the eyes of the narrator, a young man of incomplete wisdom. In quicksilver prose, Pugsley shows us a whole generation, some of whom are lost, some found, but all viewed with a profound, comic humanity.”—Michael Redhill, Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author of Bellevue Square “A wonderful book, it absolutely floored me. It's been a very long time since I've read anything like it ... I found Aubrey McKee to be more reminiscent of Dubliners by James Joyce, not only because the sense of place is so strong, but because the narrative in this book is told through interconnected stories.”—Bookin’
£11.04
Pushkin Press The Cake Tree in the Ruins
Book Synopsis'I am still unable to leave the burnt-out ruins' Akiyuki Nosaka, 2014 In 1945, Akiyuki Nosaka watched the Allied firebombing of Kobe kill his adoptive parents, and then witnessed his sister starving to death. The shocking and blisteringly memorable stories of The Cake Tree in the Ruins are based on his own experiences as a child in Japan during the Second World War. They are stories of a lonely whale searching the oceans for a mate, who sacrifices himself for love; of a mother desperately trying to save her son with her tears; of a huge, magnificent tree which grows amid the ruins of a burnt-out town, its branches made from the sweetest cake imaginable. Profound, heartbreaking and aglow with a piercing beauty, they express the chaos and terror of conflict, yet also how love can illuminate even the darkest moment.Trade Review'These deeply intense and parable-like tales of suffering tear at the heartstrings, but also show hope and resiliency in a nation haunted by war. . . Akiyuki Nosaka offers beautiful and haunting tales of suffering and starvation in the aftermath of the Allied bombing of Japan in World War II.' - -- Nancy Powell, in Shelf Awareness 'Nosaka transmutes the pain of his personal experiences into sharp, heart-wrenching depictions of a country in desperate destitution... In each of these stories, the connections and relationships that are often taken for granted in day-to-day life are elevated alongside the stakes, shining intensely and brilliantly even as tragedy unfolds.' — World Literature Today‘Magical realism with the touch of a master… Nosaka, drawing on his own experiences, in just a few pages bringing to life a world now largely forgotten.' — The Reading Life 'Remarkable stories... They are dark but so beautiful, so profound; subtle and elegant. It is a book that will last all your life.' - Irish Times'Heart-wrenching...Tragic and imaginative... These short vignettes stand as chilling reminders of the wartime trauma inflicted upon Japanese youth during and after World War II.' - Los Angeles Review of Books 'Nosaka's hauntingly sad and beautiful stories... remind us of the full tragedy of World War II.' - Japan Times 'One can only be shaken by these cruel and magnificent tales, which are also the most eloquent plea for peace imaginable.' - L'Express 'Moving snapshot of moments in the life of a shattered nation... Unforgettable.' - Children's Books Ireland
£13.50
Pushkin Press Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird
Book SynopsisIn these tense, macabre stories, bodies fall from the sky, perfect nails conceal grisly secrets and violence pulses behind gleaming façades. From hellish visions to obsessive relationships, acclaimed author Agustina Bazterrica takes us to the dark heart of human desires and fears. Shocking, brutal, yet glinting with sharp humour, Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird is a breathtaking dive into human monstrousness from a master of contemporary horror.
£9.49
Granta Books Notes from the Fog
Book Synopsis'I wake up and I have to make the right choice,' he said. Master-stylist Ben Marcus returns with a wonder-cabinet of brain-rearranging stories. From the horrifyingly strange to the deeply touching, each story is a literary masterclass unlikely to leave the reader unchanged. From parent/child relationships thrown agonisingly off kilter, to intensely moving scenarios of dependence and emotional crisis; from left-alone bodies to new scientific frontiers, Ben Marcus is the great chronicler of the contemporary uncanny and the peculiar future. Piece by piece, he takes us apart.
£11.69
Transworld Publishers Ltd You Think It, I'll Say It: Ten scorching stories
Book SynopsisA dazzling, smart and razor-sharp story collection by Curtis Sittenfeld, Sunday Times bestselling author of Rodham and American Wife.The theme that unites these stories is how even the cleverest people tend to misread others, and how much we all deceive ourselves. Sharp and tender, funny and wise, they show Sittenfeld's knack for creating real, believable characters that spring off the page, while also skewering contemporary mores with brilliant dry wit.'DO-OVER', ONE OF THE STORIES IN THIS COLLECTION, WAS SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 SUNDAY TIMES EFG SHORT STORY AWARD.
£10.44
Salt Publishing Mrs Pulaska and Other Stories
Book SynopsisWith this new collection the acclaimed novelist Christopher Burns proves his mastery of the short story form. His intelligent but conflicted characters face their decisive moments across wide ranges of time and place, each action reshaping their futures and redefining their pasts. Interplaying with these choices are locations that underpin and define each story, such as a repository of unstable nitrate film, a desert outcrop where a daughter vanished, a winter barn in which a silent refugee works without explanation, and a Parisian suicide that echoes down far more than a century.In these stories, landscape itself can be a determinant, as essential to the narrative as the characters that walk into a draining reservoir, a Neolithic cave, or a remote Greek church. For these are driven people haunted or determined, alert or unaware, lovers or doubters, saviours or perpetrators.Several of these stories have previously appeared in publications as diverse as Les Temps Modernes, Granta Short
£9.49
Salt Publishing The Anechoic Chamber
Book SynopsisAn anechoic chamber is a soundproofed room with no echo. The profound silence it produces is disturbing enough. But listen carefully and you'll hear something worse In this new collection of uncanny short stories, award-winning author Will Wiles finds sinister creatures and subtle nightmares in mundane modern environments and bureaucracy. A cursed NHS file brings doom to whoever handles it. A memory-foam mattress breaks down the walls of sleep. A marketing executive for a property developer turns to the occult. And horror seeps from the most unexpected places: eBay purchases, boxes of holiday photographs, and the hidden corners of the smart TV menu. While mostly modern in setting, this is a collection steeped in the tradition of the weird tale and the ghost story, and includes homages to the greats of the previous century: a doomed Edwardian antiquarian is drawn into a murderous plot involving a Roman mosaic, and river boatmen uncover eldritch terror in a deserted mining town. You'll never look at some things the same way again.
£9.49
Vintage Publishing Bad Dreams and Other Stories
Book SynopsisThe dazzling collection of stories from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Free Love and Late in the Day.**WINNER OF THE EDGE HILL SHORT STORY PRIZE**Two sisters quarrel over an inheritance and a new baby. A housekeeper caring for a helpless old man uncovers secrets from his past. A young girl accepts a lift in a car with a group of strangers. An old friend brings bad news to a dinner party. In these gripping and unsettling stories, the ordinary is made extraordinary and the real things that happen to people turn out to be every bit as mysterious as their dreams.'These well-turned, exceptionally nuanced pieces are solidly evocative of place, period...and sensory detail' Sunday Times'Few writers give me such consistent pleasure' Zadie SmithTrade ReviewFew writers give me such consistent pleasure. * Zadie Smith *Tessa Hadley has become one of this country’s great contemporary novelists ... possessed of a psychological subtlety reminiscent of Henry James, and an ironic beadiness worthy of Jane Austen * Guardian *One of Britain’s finest writers… Hadley’s clear-sighted observations about people’s foibles and her ability to whip up an atmosphere with only a tent pole and a pair of furry handcuffs is something to behold. * The Times *Hadley is a writer whose reputation grows with every book… This new collection of short stories reconfirms her remarkable talent… Hadley excels at both genres, brilliant at conveying emotion and with an uncanny ability to get under her character’s skin… These stories brim with a keen intelligence and linger in the mind long after you close the book. -- Sebastian Shakespeare * Tatler *[It is] lapidary, full of the most gorgeous sentences and brilliant observations. -- Alex Preston * Observer, 2017 Books of the Year *
£9.49
Vintage Publishing Wild Places: Selected Stories
Book SynopsisA beautiful new hardback edition of Katherine Mansfield's most vivid and distinctive stories.Katherine Mansfield was the only writer Virginia Woolf envied. Mansfield transformed the short story genre with her work, creating stories miraculous in their intensity yet seemingly so simple. The shift of a heart, the beat of a moment, the changing of the light: in these stories emotional universes are contained within glimpses.Mansfield only lived to the age of 34 but in that time wrote stories true to her indomitable spirit. A hundred years on from her death, Mansfield's biographer, Claire Harman, has created this new selection to show us the master of the short story form in full flight.WITH A FOREWORD BY HELEN SIMPSON AND INTRODUCTION BY CLAIRE HARMAN'There is something rapturous about her work...she has the power to distil the apparently inconsequential into frozen moments laden with significance' Guardian'Would you not like to try all sorts of lives - one is so very small - but that is the satisfaction of writing - one can impersonate so many people' Katherine MansfieldTrade ReviewPredating Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse, Mansfield's late stories...transformed the short story genre by casting a fleeting, impressionist glance at the ordinary details of domestic existence * Paris Review *Her economy, the boldness of her comic gift, her speed, her dramatic changes of the point of interest, her power to dissolve and reassemble a character and situation by a few lines -- V S Pritchett, 1946 * New Statesman *'The Daughters of the Late Colonel'...perhaps her greatest achievement, describes two spinsters whose overbearing father has just died. It flickers between comedy, menace, outlandish interludes and engulfing sorrow with consummate skill * Guardian *She was not a kind or gentle writer. ['The Doll's House'] could be sentimental in the hands of a lesser writer, but she knew better than that. She spares nobody -- Margaret Drabble * Guardian *There is something rapturous about her work: through her acute eye and cool, appraising descriptions, she has the power to distil the apparently inconsequential into frozen moments laden with significance * Guardian *
£13.49
Oneworld Publications Manchester Happened: From the winner of the
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE HEARST BIG BOOK AWARDS 2019 THE STUNNING SHORT-STORY COLLECTION FROM PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR JENNIFER NANSUBUGA MAKUMBI If there's one thing the characters in Jennifer Makumbi's stories know, it's how to field an uncomfortable question. 'Let me buy you a cup of tea...what are you doing in England?' 'Do these children of yours speak any Luganda?' 'Did you know that man Idi Amin?' But perhaps the most difficult question of all is the one they ask themselves: 'You mean this is England?' As hilarious as they are compassionate, these vibrant stories re-imagine the journey of Ugandans who choose to make England their home. Weaving between Manchester and Kampala, this dazzling collection will captivate anyone who has ever wondered what it means to truly belong. Trade Review'A thoughtful writer who quietly, engagingly, pierces the reality of relocating to Britain. Manchester Happened explores the emotional nuance of the immigrant experience.' * Observer *'Majestic...exactly the stories we all need.' * Los Angeles Times *'Written with energy, passion and conviction, each one of the 12 stories is a jewel in its own right; collectively, they are a fascinating interrogation of the nature of identity and the pressing need for greater cultural integration.' * Harper's Bazaar *'A masterpiece. This collection of short stories will resonate...with those who know intimately that the space between "here and back home" is more than just distance.' * African Arguments, Best books by African writers, 2019 *'Manchester Happened glitters with… Makumbi’s terrific turn of phrase… Dedicated to the 'fearless Ugandans in the diaspora' [Manchester Happened] provides an entertaining insight into their lives. It is a fascinating collection and confirms Makumbi as an exciting new voice.' * New Humanist *'These short stories span generations who experienced migration from Uganda to Britain and back again. They explore harsh realities such as racism, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, family break-ups, alcoholism and the lingering effects of colonialism. But there is humour among the cultural misunderstandings, petty snobberies and petty jealousies.' * Irish Times *'In her latest collection of short stories, Jennifer Makumbi speaks to the struggles of immigration... As much as their tone is light...they are also evidently indirectly political. You cannot run away from the searing undertones of alienation, struggle with identity, and finding a home away from home.' * The Star, (Kenya) *'The poorest Ugandan migrant returns home to the family for ceremonies and it's at these awesome occasions that Makumbi’s storytelling reaches its zenith. Humour ripples through even the most dire adventure… A treasure to be savoured.' * Country Style (Australia) *
£8.99
Quercus Publishing Prefecture D
Book SynopsisA collection of four novellas: each taking place in 1998, each set in the world of Six Four, and each centring around a mystery and the unfortunate officer tasked with solving it.SEASON OF SHADOWS"The force could lose face . . . I want you to fix this." Personnel's Futawatari receives a horrifying memo forcing him to investigate the behaviour of a legendary detective with unfinished business.CRY OF THE EARTH"It's too easy to kill a man with a rumour." Shinto of Internal Affairs receives an anonymous tipoff alleging a Station Chief is visiting the red-light district - a warning he soon learns is a red herring.BLACK LINES"It was supposed to be her special day." Section Chief Nanao, responsible for the force's 49 female officers, is alarmed to learn her star pupil has not reported for duty, and is believed to be missing.BRIEFCASE"We need to know what he's going to ask." On the eve of a routine debate, Political Liaison Tsuge learns a wronged politician is preparing his revenge. He must now quickly dig up dirt to silence him.Prefecture D continues Hideo Yokoyama's exploration of the themes of obsession, saving face, office politics and inter-departmental conflicts. Placing everyday characters between a rock and a hard place and then dialling up the pressure, he blends and balances the very Japanese with the very accessible, to spectacular effect.Trade ReviewHe's a master. * New York Times Book Review *Very different . . . to almost anything out there. * Observer *Yokoyama possesses that elusive trait of a first-rate novelist: the ability to grab readers' interest and never let go. * Washington Post *An education about Japan. -- David PeaceAddictive. * The Times *
£10.44
Canongate Books Apricot Jam and Other Stories
Book SynopsisIn this, his atmospheric final work of fiction, the Nobel Prize-winning author of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich introduces an unforgettable set of characters whose day-to-day lives are transformed under the pressures of Soviet rule. These stories confirm Solzhenitsyn's position alongside Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Gogol as one of Russia's great writers.Trade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of his time * * Guardian * *A remarkable human being, a visionary, a crusader in the simplest sense, who was steered in his writing, as in his actions, by a deep sense of justice * * Daily Telegraph * *What was forgotten was how great a writer Solzhenitsyn was. But now we are reminded with these nine short stories written shortly after his return to Russia and published posthumously in an excellent translation . . . The more experimental 'binary' or two-part tales, which dominate this collection, share the qualities of Solzhenitsyn's finest prose: its precision and visual clarity; the subtle irony and humour of its tone; its moral truth; and the skilful crafting and shaping of the story for emotional effect * * The Times * *Read these stories for a reminder of an extraordinary life, for the range of the interests they encompass and for a pugnacious moral energy that even the octogenarian writer was hard pressed to tame * * Guardian * *In terms of the effect he has had on history, Solzhenitsyn is the dominant writer of [the twentieth] century -- David Remnick * * New Yorker * *Described by scholars as ranking alongside his best work . . . one of the publishing events of the autumn * * Observer * *In probing the relationship between action and belief during times of crisis, Solzhenitsyn is unsurpassed * * The Times * *A great book . . . absolutely terrific -- John CareyWith its unapologetic moralising and blunt irony, Apricot Jam is a perfect introduction to the stories in this volume. The binary method is essentially a satirical device, designed to capture the doubleness - and double-facedness - of Russian life under communism * * New Statesman * *As fresh as masterpieces such as Cancer Ward or Matryona's Home -- Victor Sebestyen * * Sunday Times * *
£9.49
Flame Tree Publishing Darkness Beckons Anthology
Book SynopsisDarkness Beckons is the fourth volume in the non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window. A terrifying cocktail of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging. Previous titles in the series, all still in print are After Sundown, Beyond the Veil and Close to Midnight. Contents List: SAINT BARBARA by Nina Allan HARE MOON by H.V. Patterson UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Stephen Volk DUSK by Angela Slatter A FACE LEAVING NO TRACES by Brian Evenson GOOD BONES by Sarah Read FACTS CONCERNING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ORLOFF SIX by Alyssa C. Greene HE WASN’T THERE AGAIN TODAY by Peter Atkins DODGER by Carly Holmes FROM THE MAN-SEAT by Reggie Oliver THE SERVICE by Ally Wilkes THE LATE MRS. APPLEGARTH by Mark Gatiss THE FIG TREE by Lucie McKnight Hardy IF YOUR SOUL WERE A PITCHFORK I’D DESPISE YOU by Eric LaRocca HEEBIE JEEBIES by Amanda Cecelia Lang KILLING BONES by Simon Clark IL CREPUSCOLO by Helen Marshall REMEMBER ME by Ronald Malfi WITCH’S CLUTCH by Simon Strantzas CAMP NEVER by J.S. Breukelaar FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.Trade ReviewPraise for the first three books in the series: “Beautifully written pieces that lean into the intuitive and fantastic.” — Publishers Weekly "This rich and masterful collection of horror highlights both up-and-coming and established authors in an interesting twist on the standard anthology [...] Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one." — Booklist "There is no end to the talent Mark Morris has brought together here. Fans of the genre will be pleased to see new work from such favorites as Nathan Ballingrud and Gemma Files, among others. So if you’re ready for a long fall night, pick up a copy of this massive anthology and fall into the mysterious worlds Beyond the Veil." — Phantastiqa "This is a short story collection that does exactly what it sets out to, delight and scare. With stories from well-known authors in the genre as well as a few from emerging voices, After Sundown has something for everyone. Highly recommended." — The British Fantasy Society "An entertaining, slickly written, mainstream, fun, something-for-every-horror-fan anthology.” — HorrorTree “There’s a refreshing lack of pretentiousness about these stories. The authors span several continents so there’s a decent array of themes and styles. Each tale had a very distinct voice, with a superb variety that perfectly illustrates what a broad church the genre covers. I had a blast reading this book. It really has reinvigorated my interest in the horror genre.” — Stephen Bacon, author & critic “I'm impressed with the imagination and variety coming from the writers. Beyond the Veil, from Flame Tree Press, is another happy clump of ickiness...and I mean that in a good way.” — The Happy Horror Writer
£9.45
Titan Books Ltd Wonderland: An Anthology
Book SynopsisFrom the greatest names in fantasy and horror comes an anthology of stories inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Join Alice as she is thrown into the whirlwind of Wonderland Within these pages you'll find myriad approaches to Alice, from horror to historical, taking us from the nightmarish reaches of the imagination to tales that will shock, surprise and tug on the heart-strings. So, it's time now to go down the rabbit hole, or through the looking-glass or... But no, wait. By picking up this book and starting to read it you're already there, can't you see? Brand-new works from the best in fantastical fiction M.R. CAREY MARK CHADBOURN GENEVIEVE COGMAN JONATHAN GREEN ALISON LITTLEWOOD JAMES LOVEGROVE L.L. McKINNEY GEORGE MANN JULIET MARILLIER LAURA MAURO CAT RAMBO LILITH SAINTCROW CAVAN SCOTT ROBERT SHEARMAN ANGELA SLATTER CATRIONA WARD JANE YOLEN RIO YOUERSTrade Review“exhibit A in the argument as to how inspiration often inspires innovation” - Barnes & Noble SFF Blog“There’s something about Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that is so truly timeless, and this book makes a wondrous example of it” 4.5* - Her Campus"This collection is not to be missed. Highly recommended for Wonderland aficionados as well as general fans of fantasy, sf, and horror."- Library Journal Starred Review“a stellar addition to the Alice foray” - Novel Lives“If you like your literature bizarre, with slight traces of the familiar, Wonderland: An Anthology is delightful” - Fangirl Nation“These are wonderful and imaginative stories, with a variety of genres to satisfy every fan of Wonderland.” - Girl Who Reads “run[s] the gamut from luminous to terrifying, with every shade of wonder in between...these 20 inventive gems carve out new space in our collective psyches for Wonderland to inhabit” - The Frumious Consortium “Alice has come to life several times in many different incarnations and each one made me look at this character in a different way each time” 5* - Ninetoes Loves Books“perfect for fans of the original series and anyone who loves magic, the unknown, and the surreal. Pick up a copy. You won’t be disappointed” - Looking Glass Reads “Recommend this if you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland and horror!” 4* - Sassy Book Geek “A Must-Read Collection for Wonderland Lovers” - Novel Knight “If you’re any sort of fan of Alice in Wonderland, whether it’s the original source material or retellings, this is right up your alley. With a solid mixture of dark fantasy and horror, there’s sure to be something to please everyone” 4* - Howling Libraries“Please, don't hesitate to take a literary plunge into Wonderland, for you'll be rewarded with marvellous stories that will take you by surprise” - Risingshadow “a must-read for any fan of Lewis Carrol’s classic novel” - But Why Who?“an all-encapsulating anthology, and I highly recommend it” - Mall3tG1rl“If you have an itch to return to Wonderland in a more adult manner then please check out Wonderland it does not disappoint at all” 4.5* - Misadventures of a Reader "If you’re looking for an off-beat anthology of surprising stories, give Wonderland a try." -George Kelley"Seeing authors’ different takes on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is truly wonderful... It features all the great aspects from the universe of Alice, but re-imagined and told in different ways" - Geekisphere "Will amuse fans of Alice and genre fiction alike.” Starburst
£8.54
Titan Books Ltd When Things Get Dark
Book SynopsisThe Stoker Award-winning chilling anthology of 18 short stories in tribute to the genius of Shirley Jackson, collecting today’s best horror writers. Featuring Joyce Carol Oates, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Richard Kadrey, Stephen Graham Jones, Elizabeth Hand and more. A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by, and in tribute to, Shirley Jackson. Shirley Jackson is a seminal writer of horror and mystery fiction, whose legacy resonates globally today. Chilling, human, poignant and strange, her stories have inspired a generation of writers and readers. This anthology, edited by legendary horror editor Ellen Datlow, will bring together today’s leading horror writers to offer their own personal tribute to the work of Shirley Jackson. Featuring: Joyce Carol Oates Josh Malerman Carmen Maria Machado Paul Tremblay Richard Kadrey Stephen Graham Jones Elizabeth Hand Kelly Link Cassandra Khaw Karen Heuler Benjamin Percy John Langan Laird Barron Jeffrey Ford M. Rickert Seanan McGuire Gemma Files Genevieve Valentine.Trade Review"18 outstanding, atmospheric horror shorts from some of the biggest names in the genre ... Any fan of Jackson's oeuvre will delight in this anthology." - Publishers Weekly starred review "Other stories are equally memorable, but for me, the outstanding one is Skinder's Veil, a breathtaking blend of fairytale, dream and reality by the incomparable Kelly Link." - The Guardian "This compilation of stories that make the mundane seem terrifying is chilling and uncanny, offering tropes that will be familiar to readers of Jackson's work (witchy women, eerie suburbia) but with unique touches that could come only from these individuals authors." - New York Public Library Best Books "A joy for Jackson fans, but no Jackson knowledge is needed to enjoy this anthology. A gem in its own right." - SFX "If you're a fan of Shirley Jackson, you're bound to find something here that moves you the way her stories did." - LitReactor "Perfect to dip in and out of as the nights draw in" - Culturefly "In short, another great anthology assembled by Ellen Datlow." - Horror Tree "No one consistently delivers like Datlow does." - Horror DNA "This anthology is classic horror in its appearance, but in the inside has modern sensitivities with standout prose. Shirley Jackson would've been proud" - Last Sentence "Compiling a short story anthology that caters to a wide audience's taste is no small feat. Ellen Datlow has done a brilliant job of curating a selection of stories which are not only varied in style and topic, but of high quality. Whether you prefer your creepiness level at one or eleven, with a good dose of blood and gore or just with a hint of psychological suspense, you will find a favourite which appeals to your taste in this collection." - Crime Fiction Lover "Unsettling, disquieting, even disorienting... This collection is special. Somewhere, Shirley Jackson is peering over those glasses of hers, one eyebrow raised, a sly smile on her lips" - Dave Writes and Draws "Even the most voracious of readers is sure to be swept away by the sheer magnitude of talent on display in When Things Get Dark." - Phantastiqa "Datlow did it again... every piece was entertaining" - Happy Horror Writer "If you are looking for an overview of what the current literary horror world looks like, this is a fantastic example" - California Reading "[A] successful endeavour that shows just how much of an influence Shirley Jackson had with her writing" - Zachary Houle "A thrilling encounter with the uncanny courtesy of the some of the best contemporary horror writers." - End of the Words "From haunting to eerie to downright terrifying, there is something for every reader" - Mandy McHugh "I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology [..] so I have no hesitation in recommending it." - Stephen Bacon "These stories really linger in the back of my mind - like they're creating a space of their own in my memory" - Girl Who Reads "Hands-down, my favorite anthology I've ever read." - Quaint and Curious Volumes
£16.19
Troubador Publishing The Red Rose
Book SynopsisA collection of short stories of dreams, hope, the odd touch of true love and a hint of magic! Eugene, who returned from National Service, was smitten with young Beryl. So much so, he brought her a red rose every Saturday when he picked her up to go out......but was it enough to keep her attention? Lucy had reached a time in her life where a mundane job, bringing up her two daughters and being Mark’s wife was not quite enough. A conversation with an elderly gentleman whilst she waited for her children, convinced her to pursue a dream of becoming a health professional. Can the beauty and magic of Scotland play a part in the healing process? Diagnosed with depression, Janie, on sick leave from her hospice workplace, had no interest in anything let alone holidays. Husband Julian, wracked his brains to help his desolate wife, but was Scotland the answer? Over to Ireland, where Sally began a new chapter in her life. Moving into a village situated within the beautiful area of County Wicklow, Southern Ireland, to be near her daughter. But what was going on during the night? Where were the baby's cries coming from? Had Sally made the right decision to leave England? The coffee shop that became part of a community hub. The last thing on Christie’s mind when she started her business venture, was it becoming a social care therapy centre!
£7.59
Titan Books Ltd Reports from the Deep End
Book SynopsisA fascinating and unsettling anthology of 32 science fiction short stories in tribute to the prophetic dystopias of New Wave sci-fi pioneer, and literary titan of the twentieth century, J. G. Ballard-featuring Will Self, Iain Sinclair, Christopher Fowler, Chris Beckett, and a new Jerry Cornelius story from Michael Moorcock.
£9.49
Titan Books Ltd Christmas and Other Horrors
Book SynopsisHugo Award winning editor, and horror legend, Ellen Datlow presents this chilling horror anthology of original short stories exploring the endless terrors of winter solstice traditions across the globe, featuring chillers by Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and many more. The winter solstice is celebrated as a time of joy around the world—yet the long nights also conjure a darker tradition of ghouls, hauntings, and visitations. This anthology of all-new stories invites you to huddle around the fire and revel in the unholy, the dangerous, the horrific aspects of a time when families and friends come together—for better and for worse. From the eerie Austrian Schnabelperchten to the skeletal Welsh Mari Lwyd, by way of ravenous golems, uncanny neighbors, and unwelcome visitors, Christmas and Other Horrors captures the heart and horror of the festive season. Because the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is hungry... Featuring stories from: Nadia Bulkin Terry Dowling Tananarive Due Jeffrey Ford Christopher Golden Stephen Graham Jones Glen Hirshberg Richard Kadrey Alma Katsu Cassandra Khaw JohnLangan Josh Malerman Nick Mamatas Garth Nix Benjamin Percy M. Rickert Kaaron WarrenTrade ReviewPraise for When Things Get Dark "This compilation of stories that make the mundane seem terrifying is chilling and uncanny, offering tropes that will be familiar to readers of Jackson's work (witchy women, eerie suburbia) but with unique touches that could come only from these individuals authors." - New York Public Library Best Books Other stories are equally memorable, but for me, the outstanding one is Skinder's Veil, a breathtaking blend of fairytale, dream and reality by the incomparable Kelly Link. - The Guardian A joy for Jackson fans, but no Jackson knowledge is needed to enjoy this anthology. A gem in its own right. - SFX This anthology is the perfect example of how a vision in the right hands can produce amazing results. Every story captures the essence of what it feels like to read Shirley Jackson's work. - LitReactor best of 2021 This is an absolute treat whether you're a Shirley Jackson nut or not. - Den of Geek best of 2021 Perfect to dip in and out of as the nights draw in - Culturefly 18 outstanding, atmospheric horror shorts from some of the biggest names in the genre ... Any fan of Jackson's oeuvre will delight in this anthology. - Publishers Weekly starred review In short, another great anthology assembled by Ellen Datlow. - Horror Tree No one consistently delivers like Datlow does. - Horror DNA This anthology is classic horror in its appearance, but in the inside has modern sensitivities with standout prose. Shirley Jackson would've been proud - Last Sentence Compiling a short story anthology that caters to a wide audience's taste is no small feat. Ellen Datlow has done a brilliant job ... Whether you prefer your creepiness level at one or eleven, with a good dose of blood and gore or just with a hint of psychological suspense, you will find a favourite which appeals to your taste in this collection. - Crime Fiction Lover Unsettling, disquieting, even disorienting... This collection is special. Somewhere, Shirley Jackson is peering over those glasses of hers, one eyebrow raised, a sly smile on her lips - Dave Writes and Draws Even the most voracious of readers is sure to be swept away by the sheer magnitude of talent on display in When Things Get Dark. - Phantastiqa Datlow did it again... every piece was entertaining - Happy Horror Writer If you are looking for an overview of what the current literary horror world looks like, this is a fantastic example - California Reading [A] successful endeavour that shows just how much of an influence Shirley Jackson had with her writing - Zachary Houle A thrilling encounter with the uncanny courtesy of the some of the best contemporary horror writers. - End of the Words From haunting to eerie to downright terrifying, there is something for every reader - Mandy McHugh I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology [..] so I have no hesitation in recommending it. - Stephen Bacon These stories really linger in the back of my mind - like they're creating a space of their own in my memory - Girl Who Reads Hands-down, my favorite anthology I've ever read. - Quaint and Curious Volumes
£16.99
The History Press Ltd Pixie Folk Tales
Book SynopsisTraditional folk tales of pixies from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, retold by a professional storyteller.
£13.49
MX Publishing The Further Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Book Synopsis"My dear Watson. I do not think I am flattering myself when I say that 221B is well-understood in criminal circles." Within this volume you will find a collection of previously unpublished accounts by John H. Watson, M.D. that take Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson from London into the home counties and the south coast in the pursuit of villains and justice.Why is a banker''s daughter threatened with an Indian dagger after a trip to the theatre?Why does a young woman''s fiancé break their engagement but keep asking after her wellbeing?Why does a wealthy baronet empty his pockets before fainting at The Royal Opera House?How does Watson fare when Holmes sends him to assist an investigation in Surrey?Caiden Cooper Myles is a British writer, who has long been a follower of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. Like many a devotee of the Great Detective, he has longed to add to Dr. Watson''s accounts.
£12.99
Olympia Publishers Trailing Gold
Book Synopsis
£6.99
Cornerstone The Open Door
Book SynopsisA classic ghost story illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist, Seth.Retired officer Colonel Mortimer takes a lease on Brentwood, a mansion in Scotland that shares grounds with the ruins of an older house – including a strange, vacant doorway. When his son falls ill and eerie events begin to unfold, Mortimer must face his fears in order to save his son.
£6.99
Transworld Quickly While They Still Have Horses
Book SynopsisJan Carson is a writer based in Belfast. Her first novel, Malcolm Orange Disappears, was published in 2014 to critical acclaim, followed by a short-story collection, Children's Children (2016), and two flash fiction anthologies, Postcard Stories (2017) and Postcard Stories 2 (2020). Her second novel, The Fire Starters (2019), won the EU Prize for Literature and was shortlisted for the Dalkey Novel of the Year Award and her third novel, The Raptures (2022) was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year and the Kerry Group Novel of the Year. Her most recent short story collection, Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, was published in 2024. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and on BBC Radio 3 and 4. She has won the Harper's Bazaar short-story competition and has been shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award, the An Post Irish Short Story of the Year, and the Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize.
£9.49
Pushkin Press The Beauties: Essential Stories
Book SynopsisThe essential edition of the greatest stories by the Russian master of the form Chekhov was without doubt one of the greatest observers of human nature in all its untidy complexity. His short stories, written throughout his life and newly translated for this essential collection, are exquisite masterpieces in miniature. Here are tales offering a glimpse of beauty, the memory of a mistaken kiss, daydreams of adultery, a lifetime of marital neglect, the frailty of life, the inevitability of death, and the hilarious pomposity of ordinary men and women. They range from the lighthearted comic tales of his early years to some of the most achingly profound stories ever composed.Trade Review“This beautifully produced selection of the stories from Pushkin Press (in a new translation by Nicolas Pasternak Slater) is an ideal way to discover Chekhov.” —The Times (UK) “Mysterious and mesmerizing, these stories stay enshrined in the memory.” —The Daily Mail “Near-perfect fiction, newly translated.” —Evening Standard “The uncontestable father of the modern short story . . . his stories are some of the best that have ever been written.” —The Guardian “The language is subtle and lovely, full of a regretful tenderness.” —Sunday Express “Chekhov's genius lies in the way he manages to convey with such apparent effortlessness a profound sense of the mystery of beauty, and of the sadness of those who observe and think . . . a masterpiece of minimalism” —Phillip Pullman “The greatest short story writer who has ever lived” —Raymond Carver“In Chekhov literature seems to break its wand like Prospero, renouncing the magic of artifice, ceremony and idealization, and facing us, for the first time, with a reflection of ourselves in our unadorned ordinariness as well as our unfathomable strangeness.” —James Ladsun
£9.49
Pushkin Press The Damned Thing: Weird and Ghostly Tales
Book SynopsisA bone-chilling collection of uncanny tales from one of the great masters of the ghost story 'The genuineness and artistry of his dark imitations are always unmistakable, so that his greatness is in no danger of eclipse' H.P. LOVECRAFT '['An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' is] the greatest American short story... It is a flawless example of American genius' KURT VONNEGUT 'The most powerful American writer of horror fiction between Poe and Lovecraft' NEW YORK TIMES __________ A murder is relived from three startling perspectives; a hunter is driven out of his mind by an invisible, malevolent entity; a man meets a terrifying end in an abandoned house; a werepanther creeps through a window in the dead of night... Any lover of the dark and unsettling tale will be enthralled by the stories in this collection, all from the pen of the great Ambrose Bierce. Bierce is often seen as the link between Poe and Lovecraft in the American fantastical tradition, and this collection showcases his mastery of the macabre. Contains: The Damned Thing; The Moonlit Road; An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge; The Death of Halpin Frayser; The Suitable Surroundings; The Middle Toe of the Right Foot; Moxon's Master; An Adventure at Brownville; The Eyes of the Panther; The Spook House; An Inhabitant of CarcosaTrade Review"Arguably the most powerful American writer of horror fiction between Poe and Lovecraft."--The New York Times
£11.69
Olympia Publishers Three Novels
£9.49
Flame Tree Publishing Latin American Shared Stories
Book SynopsisThis vibrant anthology presents a curated selection of speculative stories and fascinating essays highlighting the many voices, mythologies, folklore, cultures and storytelling prowess of authors from all over Latin America and the diaspora. Edited by the wonderful V. Castro, Mexican-American speculative, horror and sci-fi writer extraordinaire.
£15.29
Flame Tree Publishing Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales: Classic
Book SynopsisThe author Hans Christian Andersen is regarded as a national treasure by his homeland Denmark, but his popularity extends far beyond his native shores. As one of the most translated authors in the world, there are hundreds of editions of his books in many languages. He is known predominantly for his remarkable series of fairy tales, many of which remain classics today, providing both inspiration for many film versions of his famous tales, as well as new collections of his stories. Evocative and poignant, their rich narratives are hugely compelling and tend to explore morality in an accessible and thought-provoking way. He was a great admirer of Dickens, and they conducted a literary friendship for many years. This latest collection celebrates Andersen’s unique literary output and gathers together a large selection of much-loved tales such as ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘The Princess and the Pea’ and ‘The Snow Queen’.
£17.00
Everyman Collected Stories
Book SynopsisThese humorous and poignant tales of lovers, loneliness, and never-quite-belonging, delivered in her characteristically knowing, wry voice, confirm Lorrie Moore as a master of the short story form. Self-Help, Like Life, Birds of America and Bark, her four acclaimed collections, are all here, and for good measure so too are a handful of stories excerpted from the novels Anagrams, Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? and The Gate at the Stairs. But at the author's request, the order of play is gloriously random: 'I didn't want this Everyman's volume to be one that simply glued all the books together in the obvious sequential order,' she writes. 'I wanted instead to let the magical alphabet set individual stories side by side in an otherwise unexpected and unchronological way so that friction or frost might occur: they could jostle and rap and spark or repel .... It might all be like a playlist set to shuffle ...' So, a joyous new discovery for first-time readers and for Moore fans, a multitude of new angles from which to view her incomparable ouevre.Trade ReviewMoore writes with such psychological precision, such sharp, unsentimental knowledge of her characters' hopes and fears that she is able to invest these melodramatic situations with a heartfelt understanding of the precariousness of everyday life. * New York Times *Lorrie Moore's stories pack more wit and tragicomic power into a single paragraph than most novels manage over fifteen chapters. Fabulous. -- Helen SimpsonHilarious and distressing, entertaining and wise ... -- Roddy DoyleThe best American writer of her generation. -- Nick Hornby
£13.49
Everyman Love Stories
Book SynopsisLove Stories brings together a captivating assortment of short stories inspired by romantic entanglement in its many forms: first love, infatuation, obsession, unrequited love, marriage, adultery, jealousy, and the complicated bonds of those who have spent their lives together.An array of writers evoke a variety of moods, from the raw, erotic passion of Lawrence and Colette to the wickedlycynical comedy of Dorothy Parker and Roald Dahl; from the agonizing madness of jealousy in Nabokov's 'That in Aleppo Once ...' to romantic illusions in Scott Fitzgerald's 'Winter Dreams'. Objects of passion range from a glamorous silent-movie star in Elizabeth Bowen's haunting 'Dead Mabelle' to a faithful ghost in Kawabata's 'Immortality' and a successful heart surgeon and serial husband in Margaret Atwood's 'Bluebeard's Egg'. Jhumpa Lahiri plumbs the depths of a couple sundered by tragedy while Lorrie Moore movingly portrays a husband and wife brought together by it. Katherine Mansfield, Tobias Wolff and William Trevor explore the intricacies of long-term relationships, while Maupassant, Calvino and T. C. Boyle convey the elemental force of love in extremely different ways.Together these nineteen stories make an enticing gift for lovers at any stage of life. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
£13.50
Everyman Erotic Stories
Book SynopsisA perfect gift of timeless erotic stories ranging from ancient Greek myth to modern stories of longing and lust. This beautifully jacketed Everyman's Library Pocket Classics hardcover anthology has a full-cloth binding and silk ribbon marker. Accounts of ardour and transgression also flow from unexpected pens: an astonishingly explicit scene from an unfinished novel by Edith Wharton, and Guy de Maupassant's heated tale of a young peasant woman offering her breast to a starving stranger on a train. Hunger is the fierce undercurrent to these stories: the gnawing lust of one lover for another, or the greedy pursuit of a particular inclination. The elegant depravity of an eighteenth-century French aristocrat, the dreamlike seductions of an Egyptian jinni in the form of a snake, the brutal anonymity of a highway truck-stop encounter--the stories in this richly varied collection reveal that the urge to articulate sexual desire is as inventive as it is timeless.
£13.50
Everyman Paris Stories
Book SynopsisIn the eighteenth century, Laurence Sterne explores the temptations of the French capital in a teasing study of foreign mores and Restif de la Bretonne provides an eye-witness account of the Revolution. From the 1800s, Hugo, Balzac, Flaubert, and Zola offer fascinating portraits of the city's teeming humanity; the Goncourt brothers chronicle the explosion of artistic talent; Huysmans describes an evening at the Folies Bergère. Colette chronicles the pitfalls for a young girl in the decadent city of the early twentieth century; F. Scott Fitzgerald revels in the city's glamour; Jean Rhys's lost heroines wander from café to café; James Baldwin celebrates its sexual freedoms; and Raymond Queneau gleefully reinvents the language of the street. In our time, Michel Tournier's North African immigrant walks a camel along the boulevards, while Nobel Laureate Patrick Modiano brilliantly maps the city's many arrondissements. The alluring power of Paris has never dimmed and it is richly captured in all its facets in these compelling and seductive tales.
£13.50
Everyman Berlin Stories
Book SynopsisBerlin, in the words of Philip Hensher, editor of this anthology, 'has always been a city of desperate modernity', both in terms of urban architecture - largely a creation of the progressive 19th century, laid waste by World War II, temporary home of the infamous Wall - and in ways of living and behaving. As early as the 1920s it was the gay capital of Europe; the Communist East/free West barrier presented unique problems for a divided population; and in the 1990s, in the aftermath of reunification, the cheap, run-down city became a vibrant centre for creative artists. 'The sense of making it up as you go along is never far away in Berlin.' The stories in this volume are the product of this series of multiple rebirths from the viewpoint of both insiders and outsiders. From pre- 1914 there are contributions from Theodor Fontane and Robert Walser; from the Weimar Republic, Alexander Döblin, Vladimir Nabokov, Erich Kästner, Ernst Haffner, Irmgeud Keun and Christopher Isherwood; from the Third Reich, Thomas Wolfe, Hans Fallada and Heinz Rein; from the Cold War era, Peter Schneider, Thomas Brussig, Len Deighton, Christa Wolf and Ian McEwan; from post-reunification, Günter Grass, Wladimir Kaminer, Chloe Aridjis, Uwe Timm, Kevin Barry, Jean-Philippe Toussaint and Jenny Erpenbeck.
£11.69
O'Brien Press Ltd Black Mountain: and other stories
Book SynopsisIn this collection, one of Ireland’s best-known political figures brings us new and selected stories of politics, of family, of love and of friendship. These are portraits of Ireland, and especially Belfast, old and new, in times of struggle and in times of peace, showing how our past is always part of our present. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always moving, these are stories of ordinary people captured with wit, with heart and with understanding. Introduction by Timothy O'Grady.Trade ReviewTHE STREET AND OTHER STORIES ‘He brings a wry humour and a detailed observation to small events ... If there is a unifying strand, it is compassion for people in difficult situations.’ * The Sunday Times *Gerry Adams passes the test in relation to the question of literary talent. He observes, he describes, he knows how to maintain suspension, how to surprise, how to make one laugh, how to touch and move one emotionally, writing with authority and confidence, reflecting authentic working-class dialogue which rarely becomes sentimental … He never shies away from his plebeian Ballymurphy and West Belfast roots but gives voice to people’s struggles, domestic, political and moral * Danny Morrison *the book is a fine read. Adams is that rare revolutionary who can write humor as well as pathos and poignancy * Celtic Life International *
£11.39
Alma Books Ltd Pleasures and Days
Book SynopsisProust's only other work of fiction published in his lifetime apart from the monumental novel cycle 'In Search of Lost Time, Pleasures and Days' takes the reader on a journey through the high-society circles of fin-de-siecle Paris, presenting the lives, loves and attitudes of a host of unforgettable characters.Trade ReviewPleasure and Days yields the earliest blooms from [Proust's] emerging, lifelong fascination with the labyrinths of snobbery and sexuality in Parisian high society. * The Independent *
£7.59
