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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
This collection of short stories about everyday life hint at the ominous as they skate a fine line between the mundane and the fantastic and familiar images become startling icons. (Source: Copac)
Notes
-
Contains thirteen of the sixteen stories that appear in The Woodpecker Toy Fact and Other Stories (1987).
-
With this collection of twenty-four stories, New Directions introduces to American readers a wonderful new writing voice from Australia. (Source: dustjacket, US edition)
Contents
* Contents derived from the
New York (City),
New York (State),
c
United States of America (USA),c
Americas,:A New Directions Book
, 1988 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.- Boy and Girl, single work short story (p. 1-4)
- Bye Baby Bunting, single work short story (p. 5-11)
- Brother Gregory, single work short story (p. 12-16)
- The Balloon Lady, single work short story (p. 17-21)
- Mother of the Bride, single work short story (p. 22-25)
- The Woodpecker Toy Fact, single work short story (p. 26-32)
- A Taste of Earth, single work short story (p. 33-37)
- Higher Animals, single work short story (p. 38-40)
- Kay Petman's Coloured Pencils, single work short story (p. 41-45)
- The Right Stuff, single work short story (p. 46-50)
- Buttercup and Wendy, single work short story (p. 51-56)
- Seeking its Level, single work short story (p. 57-60)
- Introducing Your Friends, single work short story (p. 61-64)
- The Best Thing to Do, single work short story (p. 65-68)
-
Buff Orpington and the Disasters of Middle Life
Buff Orphington and the Disasters of Middle Life,
single work
short story
(p. 69-74)
Note: With title: Buff Orpington and the Disasters of Middle Life.
-
The Enlargement of Bethany,
single work
short story
Harry Stone runs an optometrist's in Woodpecker Point, where he knows nearly every one of the residents. He is smitten with Bethany Grey, the owner of the Orchid Frock shop across the street, but she has never come in for an appointment.
As Harry's receptionist, Lisa, gets married, he tries to connect with Bethany Grey, but loses his courage. He plans on gifting an enlarged photograph of her at the wedding to her. When he looks at the photo, he sees skulls in her eyes.
Harry gives a smaller version of the photo instead, one without the skulls visible. Bethany thanks him and mentions she's been meaning to make an appointment.
-
Cherries Jubilee, or, Whichever Way You Look at It,
single work
short story
(p. 82-84)
Note: Includes additional Epigraph.
- Woodpecker Point, single work short story (p. 85-121)
- The Hair and the Teeth, single work short story (p. 122-126)
- In the Conservatory, single work short story (p. 127-133)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Untitled
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: Canadian Literature , Winter no. 127 1990; (p. 182)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
Antipodean Resonance
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: The Times Literary Supplement , 14-20 September no. 4563 1990; (p. 980)
— Review of A Body of Water : A Year's Notebook 1990 selected work autobiography short story poetry diary ; Flying Lessons 1990 single work novel ; Place of Birth 1990 selected work short story ; Taking Shelter 1989 single work novel ; Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story ; Flawless Jade 1989 single work novel -
Untitled
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: Studies in Short Fiction , Spring vol. 26 no. 2 1989; (p. 203-204)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
[Review] Woodpecker Point and Other Stories
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: Belles-Lettres (US) , Summer vol. 4 no. 4 1989; (p. 18)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
Untitled
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 28 May 1989; (p. 18)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story
-
Antipodean Resonance
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: The Times Literary Supplement , 14-20 September no. 4563 1990; (p. 980)
— Review of A Body of Water : A Year's Notebook 1990 selected work autobiography short story poetry diary ; Flying Lessons 1990 single work novel ; Place of Birth 1990 selected work short story ; Taking Shelter 1989 single work novel ; Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story ; Flawless Jade 1989 single work novel -
Untitled
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 28 May 1989; (p. 18)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
[Review] Woodpecker Point and Other Stories
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: Belles-Lettres (US) , Summer vol. 4 no. 4 1989; (p. 18)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
Untitled
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: Studies in Short Fiction , Spring vol. 26 no. 2 1989; (p. 203-204)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
Untitled
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: Canadian Literature , Winter no. 127 1990; (p. 182)
— Review of Woodpecker Point and Other Stories 1988 selected work short story -
Foreword : Poetic Injustice
1989
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Australian Magazine , 1-2 July 1989; (p. 9)
Last amended 20 Jan 2009 15:42:33
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