Letters to Francesca: October, 1984-October, 1994

by Tim Richards

A crazed mathematician holds her sons hostage to protect them from Americanization, a struggling writer discovers the key to literary immortality while riding an exercise bike, and an innocent dog-walker finds himself trapped in a photograph taken by an obsessed German billionaire. Letters to Francesca is a personal history of fear and desire. Tim Richards escorts us through the Hampton of his mind, merging autobiography with fantasy to reveal Melbourne suburbs menaced by pet lions, freak snowfalls, warring philosophers, sexual anxiety and Marlon Brando. Letters to Francesca introduces an exciting new writer with a highly distinctive view of Australian life.

Genres: Short Stories

166 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1996

About the author

Tim Richards is a Melbourne-based script editor, and the author of Letters to Francesca, The Prince and Duckness. He is currently teaching creative writing at Box Hill TAFE.

Reviews

[Gabriel Tonks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Richards has an interesting and unique style that persists through his more off-putting stories and flourishes in his best.