Publisher's Synopsis
Stories from the back of the brain.
These short stories span a period of 40 years. They are as eclectic as the insect world, ranging from the bizzare to the quixotic and back again. Plucked from an oeuvre of 145 stories, they are beautifully crafted tales, several of which have snatched awards from the jaws of oblivion or shouldered their way into short lists. Though he writes longer fiction Garry Kilworth considers himself primarily a short story writer, which is his first and last love. There is science fiction, fantasy, horror, folk lore and legend within these pages. What does not fall into any of those categories is simply unclassifiable weird fish. The first tale is a parallel world story in which we, the people who inhabit this planet, can walk on water. The last story involves the kind of madness which is brought on by too much discipline and good order. These two sandwich a vast array of brilliant and sometimes puzzling pieces of prose. "One is left in no doubt about the quality of the writing or of Kilworth's talent..." Times Educational Supplement "The tales are haunting, often almost poetic, but still chilling." Fantasy Zone on In The Country Of Tattooed Men "His characters are strong and the sense of place he creates is immediate and strong." Sunday Times "Kilworth is a master of his trade." Punch "Arguably the finest writer of short fiction today, in any genre" New Scientist
