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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
The characters in this collection of stories, which comprises six shorter and two longer pieces, want things that run counter to their sense of themselves. They are drawn outside their comfort zone into situations that are sometimes amusing, sometimes undignifying, never quite what they expect.
Thus, for example, a contented woman finds herself considering a bizarre sexual invitation that just days before filled her with scorn. A mediocre man is pulled into a strange dance with his stalker. A father gives his daughter a Christmas present with a disturbing history. An ugly sports parent plays a game of ridiculous chance. A young boy's music lesson offers him a discordant insight into adult behaviour. And in a primal tale about the borderline between animals and humans, death is horrifyingly not the end of the story. (Adapted from Trove)
Notes
-
Epigraph: Each time the gravel slid off the shovel it sounded like something trying to hang on by its nails. Philip Hodgins, 'Shooting the Dogs'.
Contents
* Contents derived from the
Camberwell,
Camberwell - Kew area,
Melbourne - Inner South,
Melbourne,
Victoria,:Hamish Hamilton
, 2010 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
- The Nun's Story, single work short story (p. 1-12)
- Shooting the Dog, single work short story (p. 13-41)
- The Bet, single work short story (p. 43-62)
- Mirror, Mirror, single work short story (p. 63-94)
- Run Silent, Run Deep, single work short story (p. 95-111)
- The Fourth Tenor, single work short story (p. 113-154)
- Get a Life, single work short story (p. 155-204)
- The Formal, single work short story (p. 205-252)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Braille.
- Large print.
Works about this Work
-
Short Cut to Success
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 3 - 4 July 2010; (p. 20-21) -
Doctor Shows He Still Has a Finger on the Impulse
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 20 June 2010; (p. 13)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
In Short, It's a Search for the 'Grainy Truth'
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian Literary Review , June vol. 5 no. 5 2010; (p. 18-19) -
Fiction Books
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 27 - 28 March 2010; (p. 26)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
[Review] Gravel
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , April no. 362 2010; (p. 37)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story
-
Erotica-Lite from a Marital Arts Master
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 27-28 February 2010; (p. 21)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
Prickles of Disquiet: Tales from the Prolific Peter Goldsworthy
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , March no. 319 2010; (p. 9-10)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
Sharply Drawn Vignettes Explore Life's Daily Drama
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 6-7 March 2010; (p. 26-27)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
Well Read
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 6 March 2010; (p. 28)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story ; Below the Styx 2010 single work novel -
Revealing What Lies beneath the Iceberg's Tip
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 13 March 2010; (p. 23)
— Review of Gravel 2010 selected work short story -
A Shot in the Arm
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 6 March 2010; (p. 11) -
In Short, It's a Search for the 'Grainy Truth'
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian Literary Review , June vol. 5 no. 5 2010; (p. 18-19) -
Short Cut to Success
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 3 - 4 July 2010; (p. 20-21)
Awards
- 2011 shortlisted ASAL Awards — ALS Gold Medal
- 2011 shortlisted Queensland Premier's Literary Awards — Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Australian Short Story Award
Last amended 4 Feb 2025 14:05:33