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Thursday, June 5, 2014

New Release: Tony Birch The Promise. University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 2014 (219 pages).


This is Tony Birch's third collection of short stories. It consists of twelve stories, usually first person narratives told from marginal or working class perspectives. The writing is highly accessible and usually credible with an unpredictability which urges you to read on. Nothing is neatly tied up and when you finish reading the last story 'Keeping Good Company' you are aching for more. Easily the best collection of short stories by an Australian writer that I have read this year. More later.


Here’s a couple of short early reviews:


Jason Steger’s article appeared in the Good Weekend supplement of the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/tony-birch-20140508-37ydb.html


The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/tony-birchs-the-promise-more-chekhov-than-carver/story-fn9n8gph-1226894561414#