8 Plus 1

This stunning collecting of short stories is essential for anyone involved in the study or enjoyment of literature. The stories deal with relationship - a first love, a daughter leaving for college, a son seeing his father as a man with human failings for the first time. The book has a double strength - the flawless writing typical of Cormier is there in abundance and, equally important, there is an author-written preface to each story. These give the reader a fascinating and sharply etched insight into Corner as a writer. He explains the creative process involved in conceiving and writing each story and thus provides a thrilling glimpse into the world of the writer at work. This collection is a highly recommended purchase for a fourth or fifth-year (or top third-year) class as a set text. If you really can't do that, shoot your Head of Department and buy this for library and/or Wider Reading book box.