A collection of William Trevor's short stories, featuring all the stories from five previous collections together with "Beyond the Pale" and "The News from Ireland", plus four stories not previously published in book form.
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About the Author
William Trevor was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork in 1928, and lives now in Devon. As well as being regarded as a master of the short story, he has published a number of award-winning novels, most recently Love and Summer (August 2009).
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First Sentence
'I am Mrs da Tanka,' said Mrs da Tanka. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
'I am Mrs da Tanka,' said Mrs da Tanka. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a truly wonderful book: dozens of short stories of consistently high quality by one of the really great figures in literature. Trevor uses words with great precision and economy to depict a whole world and portray a complex and ambivalent character within paragraphs. His two special tricks are the use of incredibly flat, deadpan prose to tell us about something really horrible or astonishingy bizarre; and the use of incredibly funny, almost surreal dialogue.
The earlier stories are sometimes blackly humorous and macabre. The latter ones have an autumnal and elegaic feel. It is hard to know which type to prefer, or to pick a favourite. A personal top six would be "Memories of Youghal", "An Evening with John Joe Dempsey", "Mrs Silly", "Bodily Secrets", "Two More Gallants" and "Coffee with Oliver". But another half dozen would do just as well. One feels there is a trick, to have produced so much with such excellence. But there is no trick: just constant excellence.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a truly wonderful book: dozens of short stories of consistently high quality by one of the really great figures in literature. Trevor uses words with great precision and economy to depict a whole world and portray a complex and ambivalent character within paragraphs. His two special tricks are the use of incredibly flat, deadpan prose to tell us about something really horrible or astonishingy bizarre; and the use of incredibly funny, almost surreal dialogue.
The earlier stories are sometimes blackly humorous and macabre. The latter ones have an autumnal and elegaic feel. It is hard to know which type to prefer, or to pick a favourite. A personal top six would be "Memories of Youghal", "An Evening with John Joe Dempsey", "Mrs Silly", "Bodily Secrets", "Two More Gallants" and "Coffee with Oliver". But another half dozen would do just as well. One feels there is a trick, to have produced so much with such excellence. But there is no trick: just constant excellence.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Matthew Lage
Format:Hardcover
This is a cause for celebration. Trevor is a master of the short story, and having all of his work published extant makes this boxed set a desert island necessity. The only caveat is the quality of the paper--pretty cheap overall, a reflection of these shortsighted times and an insult on the part of his publisher. These are volumes that one should cherish for the next century: it is doubtful that the paper will last that long.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Henry Turner
Format:Hardcover
I'm not going to review Trevor's ability as a short story writer - plenty have done that already. All I can add is that, for me, he's up there with Alice Munro, Lorrie Moore, Nabokov and John Cheever, part of that small group of short story writers who happily and ably carry Chekhov's mantle. I bought this collection to fill a few gaps and because it promised to be a high quality product. However, it's beautifully designed, but horribly printed. Nasty, cheap paper and printing completely undermine the ambition of creating such - on the surface - a lovely looking object. Each time I have started reading from the book, immersing myself in a new story, I found it hard not to be galled and distracted by Penguin's meanness. There are plenty of paperbacks whose production standard and tactile pleasures are far, far greater.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is my favourite book ever, a collection from the pen of a complete master. Trevor is unmatched, in Europe at least, for his skill at drafting short stories of insight, depth, humour and drama. Not always enamoured with the human race, the odd overly-gloomy story can be overlooked in favour of the scores of powerful and brilliant ones. Perhaps the only complaint is that the book is just too big, making his great acheivements seem less rare than they are.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A reader
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a terrific set of the collected William Trevor short stories. Other reviewers have commented on the excellence of Trevor's work and I agree : the stories deserve a 5 star rating. 5 stars for Trevor but zero stars for Penguin.
Unfortunately, Penguin have produced a beautiful design that they have managed to convert into a shoddy product. Poor paper, poor printing and, worst of all, a shabby board, rather than cloth, binding. I thought that I was purchasing something that would give pleasure for decades. Given that one will wish to dip into these stories often, I cannot see the book lasting long before the volumes begin to fall apart.
Ultimately it feels that Penguin have shown little respect to Trevor. What a disappointment.
Unfortunately, Penguin have produced a beautiful design that they have managed to convert into a shoddy product. Poor paper, poor printing and, worst of all, a shabby board, rather than cloth, binding. I thought that I was purchasing something that would give pleasure for decades. Given that one will wish to dip into these stories often, I cannot see the book lasting long before the volumes begin to fall apart.
Ultimately it feels that Penguin have shown little respect to Trevor. What a disappointment.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By SACB
Format:Paperback
This is a big collection and it took me some time to read but it was time well spent. Every story is fascinating and well crafted. The everyday made extraordinary. Take some time out in a park in the shade near the sunshine for a real treat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
there is a nostalgic quality to many of these stories now but some still have the power to disturb and make one think about relationships and difficulties in the 21st century. An enchanting writer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Master of the trade
This book contains only perfect short stories. No other writer, not even Roald Dahl or John Cheever are remotely as good as William Trevor. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2011 by Reinout
4.0 out of 5 stars
Every story a miniature masterpiece
Even with the generous Amazon discount on this two volume set it an expensive buy, but worth every penny. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Mr. S. F. Carr
5.0 out of 5 stars
I look at all the lonely people
Wow! This guy is a master of the short story.
If this book were a song it would be Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.
Tales of people with sad, passive lives. Read more
If this book were a song it would be Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.
Tales of people with sad, passive lives. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by dangermash
4.0 out of 5 stars
Master of the Short Story
I first discovered William Trevor when I read his novel The Story of Lucy Gault. I found his descriptive ability excellent and felt that I was quickly drawn into the story because... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by D. Hendrickson
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