Learning to Swim and Other Stories
by Graham Swift
On This Page
Description
The men and women in these spare, Kafkaesque stories are engaged in struggles that are no less brutal because they are fought by proxy. In Graham Swift's taut prose, these quiet combative relationships--between a mismatched coup an aging doctor and his hypochondriacal patient; a teenage refugee swept up in the conflict between an oppressively sentimental father and his rebellious son--become a microcosm for all human cruelty and need. & " Swift proves throughout this ambitious collection show more that he is a master of his language and the construction of provocative situations.& " -- Houston Chronicle show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Beautifully written stories of human relationships. Disturbing stories in some sense and yet familiar. Readers who only like satisfying endings will not like these, however, readers who enjoy excellent writing, keen observations, and reality (well almost for the last story) may enjoy this unusual collection. The author's masterful writing floats readers along to thoughtful endings.
I'd recommend this literary collection to readers who enjoy same.
I'd recommend this literary collection to readers who enjoy same.
well-written stories
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
21+ Works 10,727 Members
British novelist Graham Swift was born in London on May 4, 1949. He attended Cambridge University and York University. Swift has written five novels, including Waterland. (Bowker Author Biography) Novelist Graham Swift was born in London, England on May 4, 1949. He attended Cambridge University where he received a B.A. in 1970, and an M.A. in show more 1975. He also attended York University from 1970-73. He taught English part time at several London Colleges between the years 1974 to1983. Swift's fiction tends to touch upon the subject of World War II as well as exploring the larger subject of history. "Waterland" established Swift's reputation and was made into a major film. He also wrote "Last Orders" and his novels have won a variety of prestigious literary awards and have been widely translated. Swift was an avid fisherman and co-edited an anthology of fishing in literature. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Learning to Swim and Other Stories
- Original publication date
- 1982
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 196
- Popularity
- 167,801
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.61)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 15
- ASINs
- 4
