Product Description

Scintillating, surprising, inventive fiction from one of the most talented young writers in Britain -- this is a superb collection of new short stories from the acclaimed author of The Crash of Hennington. Have you heard the urban myth about Jesus's double-jointed elbows yet? 100% true. Or seen the latest reports on the 'groomgrabbing' trend -- the benevolent kidnapping of badly-dressed children by their well-meaning (and more dapper) elders? Heard the one about the Amazon from the Isle of Man? Or perhaps you'd like a job in telesales, offering self-defence classes over the phone? Don't worry, as long as you meet the weekly quota, you won't be sent to the end of the hall! Wonderfully original, fresh and funny, Topics About Which I Know Nothing is stuffed to the gills with dizzyingly inventive writing and warming, puzzling emotions -- a fictional guide to how the world might have turned out.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45542 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Review
'This collection of short stories goes off in myriad directions, each wild conceit different, each one executed with the deceptive ease of a catchy song. All of them are sprinkled with humour and zest but none are inconsequential.' Arena 'Ness's first collection brims with inventiveness and creative audacity.' Daily Telegraph 'Ness's take on the absurd and offbeat is sharp, intelligent and funny.' Time Out 'An utterly compelling account of a young man out in the world ! A truly remarkable fictional character' The Times 'Remarkable, an extraordinary, yet utterly convincing creation' The Scotsman 'Sparkling humour ! Ness has a wonderful imagination: creative, unpretentious and pleasingly bonkers.' Metro (London) 'Very, very funny ! a unique comic manifesto from a very talented newcomer.' Daily Express Praise for THE CRASH OF HENNINGTON: 'A wholly original, hugely enjoyable first novel! Interweaving gorgeously fresh characters and a wagonload of parallel plots, this is the product of a heart-warmingly deranged new voice.' Guardian 'Patrick Ness recreates the world as we know it, infusing it with a charm and whimsy that brings to mind Calvino and, of course, the Ionesco of "Rhinoceros". This is a true changeling of a book, both funny and subversive.' T.C. Boyle 'I can't remember reading a novel in such a compulsive, leave-me-in-peace way since Tales from the City. More please!' Patrick Gale 'Menages a trois, miracles and thwarted love -- this is a very humane and entertaining tale' Observer 'A very funny novel, with its own indefinable flavour' Time Out 'A fun and intriguing read! Ness is a refreshingly big-hearted writer in these days of easy cynicism and cleverness.' Toronto Star 'Rich, complex, surprisingly wise! I'm eager to learn where Patrick Ness's imagination will take us next.' Toronto Globe & Mail

The Scotsman
'Remarkable, an extraordinary, yet utterly convincing creation'

Metro (London)
"Sparkling humour… Ness has a wonderful imagination: creative, unpretentious and pleasingly bonkers."

Customer Reviews

From New York
Each of these stories are very different and each illustrate the amazing and diverse talent of the author. They will make you laugh, cry and ponder the human condition. Mr. Ness is in love with the language and uses it to it's fullest.

Scintillating tales
This is a wonderful collection of short stories, each one packed with its own secrets and power, all very different from each other. The prose is full of excitement and energy, and sparkles from the page. Particular favourites were the eccentric and witty "2,115 Opportunities" and the downbeat and despairing "The Gifted".

I would recommend this book to anyone, and will definitely be seeking more of this author's work.