Author:William Trevor
Cheating at Canasta - an outstanding collection of stories by the master storyteller William Trevor
'There is no better short story writer in the English-speaking world' Wall Street Journal
''No matter what,' Julia had said, aware then of what was coming, 'let's always play cards.' And they did; for even with her memory gone, a little more of it each day - her children taken, her house, her flowerbeds, belongings, clothes - their games in the communal drawing room were a reality her affliction allowed.'
A husband sits in Harry's Bar in Venice, thinking of his wife - lost to him now - whose plea has brought him back to one of their favourite haunts. On another table, a young couple quarrel. 'Cheating at Canasta' is the title story of William Trevor's collection, his first since the highly acclaimed A Bit on the Side, and its themes of missed opportunities, the inevitability of change and the powerful but fragmentary quality of our memories are entirely characteristic of his unparalleled oeuvre.
John Cheever understood fallibility and that made for the greatness in his writing
—— The TimesImagine our joy when Vintage announced that it is publishing a collection of easily digestible books from the world’s most celebrated writers on the experiences that make us human… They look good and read well. That’s win/win in our book.
—— StylistEach distinct voice in this complex pattern of relationships is presented with deep empathy and clarity, so that you feel a real three-dimensional quality in the characters. The most painful ethical dilemmas are laid out with compassion and without manipulation. A serious, mature book that is also compellingly enjoyable
—— Rowan Williams on 'Cousins'No one can dig down into the shrouded recesses of the human heart quite as forensically as Vickers
—— Sunday TimesSalley Vickers sees with a clear eye and writes with a light hand. She's a presence worth cherishing
—— Philip Pullman on 'The Cleaner of Chartres'The wittiest of detective writers
—— Daily MailSparkling
—— IndependentMy favourite historical novelist - stylish, romantic, sharp and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines enterprising and her heroes are dashing. I owe her many happy hours.
—— Margaret DrabbleHeyer's characterisation and dialogue are an abiding delight to me...I have seldom met people to whom I have taken so violent a fancy from the word Go
—— Dorothy L. SayersWe had better start ranking her alongside such incomparable whodunit authors as Christie, Marsh, Tey and Allingham
—— San Francisco ChronicleRarely have we seen humour and mystery so perfectly blended
—— New York TimesBeautifully written, sharp as a tin of tacks and meticulously researched
—— RedHeyer’s writing throughout is sparkling and sharp yet good humoured
—— Sunday Express S MagazineIn the best of her work she creates an illusions of the past that is complete in itself and essentially timeless, this is one reason why her books haven’t dated. They were designed to amuse and intrigue their readers. They still do. In one sense, Georgette Heyer’s peers are PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie. Like theirs, her success was not an accident. Like theirs, it shows every sign of enduring
—— The TimesA treat for Regency fans
—— Mail on SundayThese stories are an emphatic reminder of why Heyer’s writing deserves respect.
—— TLS[A] delicious confection of short stories
—— Spotlight Magazine, Daily ExpressAt turns arresting and hilarious. Ferris excavates relationships, interactions, missteps, and misunderstandings to form a collection of work you'll want to return to again and again
—— Southern LivingMost of the characters are comparatively sane, but no less deliciously ghastly
—— Lionel Shriver , Observer Books of the YearAnxiety, self-consciousness and humiliation are the default inner states of the characters in these 11 stories
—— New York Times Books of the YearA strange, fantastical squelch through watery East Anglia...one of the most impressive collections of short stories in recent years
—— Alex Preston , ObserverAn undeniably enjoyable dose of escapism
—— Irish IndependentMark Haddon has become a master of the short story…this new collection intrigues and horrifies by turn
—— Country & Town HouseGripping tale… Told with forensic precision.
—— Paddy Kehoe , RTE OnlineExuberant, lusty exercises in juxtaposition… Such contrasts not only power each piece but also act as a form of call and response across them… Terrifically compelling collection.
—— Alex Clark , GuardianImpressive but forbiddingly lightless collection. There’s no doubt about Haddon’s skill.
—— Tim Martin , New StatesmanHave you ever read a book that made you gasp out loud and nearly burst into tears? The title story…had that effect on me… Haddon is able to give human tragedy the due solemnity it deserves but without being po-faced. A wonderful collection.
—— Anne Sexton , Hot PressGuaranteed to keep me riveted.
—— Karen Byrom , My WeeklyGripping… Packs the action and themes that might power a very full novel into less than 70 pages
—— John Williams , New York TimesScintillating first foray into the shorter form… Beautifully crafted… A challenging and idiosyncratic talent, with a memorable way with words.
—— Max Davidson , Mail on Sunday[Haddon] portrays the nightmares of our own society…with astonishing deftness, mixing black humour and pathos.
—— David Platzer , TabletThe Pier Falls had me gasping in disbelief.
—— Chris Catchpole , Q[It was] grim and compelling… [A] ripping, gripping yarn – narrative velcro.
—— Craige Raine , Spectator, Book of the YearI savoured all the atmospheric short stories in The Pier Falls.
—— Elizabeth Reapy , Irish Times, Book of the YearAn enthralling short story collection; dark, immersive stories with lots of action. The writing is tight and inspiring.
—— E. Reapy , Irish Independent, Book of the Year[A] searing collection of short stories that thrill and chill in equal measure.
—— Claire Allfree , Metro, Book of the YearI was also captivated by the dark A Pier Falls, a brilliantly written collection of bleak and brutal short stories.
—— Mernie Gilmore , Daily Express, Book of the YearI adored The Pier Falls… Each story is wildly entertaining and well written.
—— Dave Rudden , Headstuff, Book of the Year[It] proves the capacity of a short story to immerse the reader fully in a fictional world.
—— Anita Sethi , Guardian, Book of the YearThis short-story collection is thrilling and exquisitely written. I gave out several copies as Christmas presents.
—— Claire Fuller , Sunday TelegraphAn exquisite writer.
—— Fiona Wilson , The TimesMesmerisingly good stories, hugely varied, skilfully written, full of deft touches and narrative shocks... an absolute treat
—— Marcus Berkman , Spectator, *Books of the Year*