The High Places: Stories

By Fiona McFarlane

Book Overview

Winner of the International Dylan Thomas Prize

"THERE IS IN THESE TALES A RECURRENT 'FEELING OF QUEASY ANTICIPATION, ' AS ONE OF MCFARLANE'S CHARACTERS OBSERVES, 'AS IF SOME TERRIBLE THING MIGHT HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT.' . . . IT'S A MOOD YOU ASSOCIATE WITH FLANNERY O'CONNOR, EVIDENTLY ONE OF MCFARLANE'S INFLUENCES, AS WELL AS PATRICIA HIGHSMITH."--THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW (EDITORS' CHOICE)

Ranging from Australia to Greece, England to a Pacific island, the stories in Fiona McFarlane's story collection The High Places journey across continents, eras, and genres, charting the pivotal moments of people's lives. In "Mycenae," a middle-aged couple embarks on a disastrous vacation in the company of old friends. In "Good News for Modern Man," a scientist conducts research on a small, remote island, where he is haunted by a colossal squid and the ghost of Charles Darwin. And in the title story, an Australian farmer turns to Old Testament methods to relieve a fatal drought. All are confronted with events that make them see themselves and their lives from a fresh perspective--and what they do as a result is as unpredictable as life itself.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250131855
• ISBN13: 9781250131850
• Release Date: May 2017
• Publisher: Picador USA
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"