Mark Swain: 17 books

*The story 'Special Treatment' was winner of The Kinglake Modern Short Story Prize in 2010.Mark Swain describes these 12 short stories as: short excursions into the lives of others. In each story we find ourselves transported – thoroughly absorbed. We are there. Some places we think...

Aged 50, Mark Swain left his slippers by the fire and set off with his 18yr old son on a cycle expedition from Ireland to Japan. “We’ll train on the way,” he said. Physical challenges, border bureaucracy, health scares and traffic hazards were all anticipated. What they underestimated was the...

An illustrated book suitable for dogs, and humans of all ages.Mark Swain describes these eighteen stories as "brief excursions into the canine world." The stories are aimed at people engaging with their dogs. And yes, that does mean reading stories to your dog!These 18 stories have been...

Two friends meet regularly in a pub they used to frequent as pupils of a local boarding school. Here the conversation usually centres around old anecdotes which they endlessly repeat and amuse themselves over. Some of these involve the misfortune of others. Although amusing, sometimes this could even...

A victim of a workplace accident, Dave lives alone. His Postlady's daily visit is one of the highlights of an otherwise dull life. He used to be able to win over women like Mandy easily with his chat. Now they just seem to pity him. People form Social Services and various charities call round...

Shanghai in the 1980's. A German man drowns his sorrows in the Seaman's Mission bar and chats to Jim and Carmen. The day after tomorrow they will take the Trans-Siberian Express train from Beijing to Berlin. They are excited, but their new German friend has some words of warning for them....

A traditional Moroccan tale of a widowed baker who cherishes the donkey that was his dead wife's dowry. The donkey, however, like his master, is despised by his old friends in the village due to hardship and envy. Their one consolation is found in their days selling bread at the market in the...

English Down The Pub is written for use by both students of English and teachers of English. It will also be of interest to those wanting to know about modern English culture. What readers will not be anticipating in a book of this type, is comedy. The book could be described as 'tongue in cheek',...

This story has plenty of humour but it is at the expense of an elderly man. Like all dark humour we can see both sides. Bob is bigoted and awkward. He is as prejudiced against young people as young people are against him. We find ourselves constantly switching sides in the argument. In the end everyone...

An teenage boy secures a summer job helping a characterful gang of telecoms workers to erect telegraph poles in the wilds of Scotland. Directing traffic by day, the young man enjoys the banter and antics of the men, but prefers the solitude of sleeping in the site tent overnight to staying at the...

A sparkling collection of short stories that entrance us with telling glimpses and powerful insights into people’s lives. In so little precious time we feel we know these characters and what drives them – their secrets, their desires, their fears and their regrets: An art dealer tricked by opportunists...

A tragi-comic short story that examines the delicate balance between success and failure.Pat Carmichael was a charismatic and talented footballer with a promising career in the British Premiership. With rugged good looks a Porsche, a pretty wife and a glamorous lifestyle he was envied and desired...

Abandoned by her husband, Brenda uses her divorce money to buy the hairdressers where she works, in a small South Wales town. She worries about her son. Him coming to work in the salon seemed a logical move but he is shy and has a lazy eye. He is a talented cutter but he does not fit in well, until...

Two competitive Englishmen go cycling together in France. Each attempts to out-do the other on the challenging hills as they pass through rolling countryside and villages. Stopping for water in one village they are helped by an odd woman. One man witnesses a grotesque scene in the old woman's...