Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37466 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback

Review
"'Every bit the equal of his Whitbread winner English Passengers, this collection of short stories is instantly engaging... With the precision of an assassin, Kneale propels his readers towards killer punchlines... the wit and ease of his style make this a thoroughly pleasurable way to pique one's conscience' Time Out 'Kneale does not judge. Like a film director in a silent sequence, he reveals. He is witty, compassionate; he understands all sides' Independent 'The title is a cunning one, anticipating ironies and paradoxes that run through this collection of stories... It is good to have [Matthew Kneale] back. He is a well-travelled writer, at ease in a wide range of fictional settings... a fine, subtle talent' Sunday Telegraph"

Independent on Sunday
‘Complex and nuanced...Punchy and absolutely contemporary, its writing pointed and pared down’

Sunday Telegraph
‘A fine, subtle talent’

Customer Reviews

A mixed bunch but more good than poor.
Basically these are short stories and although, initially, there appeared to be a linking theme, it disappeared. The individual stories are a mixed bag but there are more good than poor. Several are of Graham Green quality and, since this is high praise, make the collection very good value.

A fine collection of tales.
I bought this book to read on holiday but finished it in a day. Kneale has created a fascinating selection of stories set in a variety of locations. I particularly enjoyed 'Stone' the story of a family who try to travel around China independently but end up caught up in accusations of theft and 'Powder', the story of a respectable middle-class family who accidently start pushing drugs. Funnily enough, these are the first two stories in the book but each of the collection is tinged with a sense of irony. Kneale's protagonists adjust to the challenges and expectations of changing lifestyles and the values of others.