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Departures: Seven Stories from Heathrow
Seven short stories from bestselling author Tony Parsons, based on his week as Writer in Residence at Heathrow airport. Here is Heathrow as it has never been seen before – a secret city populated by the 75 million travellers who pass through every year, a place where journeys and dreams end – and begin. From the brilliant twenty-something kids who control the skies up in Air Traffic Control to the softly-spoken man who cares for the dogs, lions and smuggled rattlesnakes at Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre, from the immigration officers who have heard it all before to the firemen who hone their skills by setting the green plane on fire, from the armed police who watch for terrorist attacks to the pilots who have touched the face of god – Heathrow teems with life. In Departures, his first collection of short stories, Tony Parsons takes us deep inside the secret city.
99 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2011
11 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Tony Parsons
65 books893 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Tony Parsons (born 6 November 1953) is a British journalist broadcaster and author. He began his career as a music journalist on the NME, writing about punk music. Later, he wrote for The Daily Telegraph, before going on to write his current column for the Daily Mirror. Parsons was for a time a regular guest on the BBC Two arts review programme The Late Show, and still appears infrequently on the successor Newsnight Review; he also briefly hosted a series on Channel 4 called Big Mouth.
He is the author of the multi-million selling novel, Man and Boy (1999). Parsons had written a number of novels including The Kids (1976), Platinum Logic (1981) and Limelight Blues (1983), before he found mainstream success by focussing on the tribulations of thirty-something men. Parsons has since published a series of best-selling novels – One For My Baby (2001), Man and Wife (2003), The Family Way (2004), Stories We Could Tell (2006), My Favourite Wife (2007), Starting Over (2009) and Men From the Boys (2010). His novels typically deal with relationship problems, emotional dramas and the traumas of men and women in our time. He describes his writing as 'Men Lit', as opposed to the rising popularity of 'Chick Lit'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Par...
Tony Parsons (born 6 November 1953) is a British journalist broadcaster and author. He began his career as a music journalist on the NME, writing about punk music. Later, he wrote for The Daily Telegraph, before going on to write his current column for the Daily Mirror. Parsons was for a time a regular guest on the BBC Two arts review programme The Late Show, and still appears infrequently on the successor Newsnight Review; he also briefly hosted a series on Channel 4 called Big Mouth.
He is the author of the multi-million selling novel, Man and Boy (1999). Parsons had written a number of novels including The Kids (1976), Platinum Logic (1981) and Limelight Blues (1983), before he found mainstream success by focussing on the tribulations of thirty-something men. Parsons has since published a series of best-selling novels – One For My Baby (2001), Man and Wife (2003), The Family Way (2004), Stories We Could Tell (2006), My Favourite Wife (2007), Starting Over (2009) and Men From the Boys (2010). His novels typically deal with relationship problems, emotional dramas and the traumas of men and women in our time. He describes his writing as 'Men Lit', as opposed to the rising popularity of 'Chick Lit'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Par...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 10, 2019
Borrowed from my library's e-book service!
I really liked the concept for these collection of short stories, written by Tony during his week long residency at one of the world's busiest airports Heathrow. These are mainly for an adult audience, but there were an array of characters (and animals!) featured throughout. They were quick, easy to read, some of the stories I enjoyed more than others. I'm unsure if I would re-read this collection again since there were moments of info-dumping which I didn't like so much.
I really liked the concept for these collection of short stories, written by Tony during his week long residency at one of the world's busiest airports Heathrow. These are mainly for an adult audience, but there were an array of characters (and animals!) featured throughout. They were quick, easy to read, some of the stories I enjoyed more than others. I'm unsure if I would re-read this collection again since there were moments of info-dumping which I didn't like so much.
July 3, 2013
This is a small book with big messages. I am a fan of Parsons' laid-back attitude towards life. He makes no dreamy promises, life can be hard and cruel, but it's also filled with beautiful human stories, the one that will make you smile, or make you think-hey, this is me. Those stories seam simple and short, but they describe life as it is, for better or worse. Definitely, worth giving hour or so of your life to read them all at ones.
August 13, 2012
I hate you, Tony Parsons, and your facile, predictable, saccharine stories. If I were to submit one of these stilted tales with their massive infodumps to the People's Friend, it would be rejected with a one-line form letter. Yet other people apparently like this stuff. A much bigger mystery than what goes on behind the scenes at Heathrow's Animal Control unit, in my opinion.
November 13, 2012
In August 2011 Tony Parsons became writer-in-residence at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, and these seven interlinked short stories are the result of that fruitful week. Having been connected with Heathrow for most of my professional life I thought this collection might be a bit of an unrewarding ‘busman’s holiday’, but it’s the details of the working lives of other Heathrow mavens that really caught my eye, and for readers unconnected with Heathrow other than when just passing through these stories will probably be even more eye-opening: the mysterious green plane near the perimeter, the bird-scarers, the relentless attempts of small-time criminals to evade border control, the stressful lives of travelling animals, the remote coolness of the air traffic controllers, the pull of the sky and the amazement that can come from thinking too much about modern aviation. I had a problem with the feasability of the first story in this small collection but in truth that’s a minor cavil; Parsons’s characterisation is good (particularly the seen-it-all humanity of his Border Agency immigration officer Jaswinder Smith) and this successful collection is going on my shelf for keeps. Nice one, Tony.
September 20, 2014
I've always had a soft spot for short stories. I enjoyed all the stories in this book but especially the one about the old man who hangs around the airport. The stories offer a look into the behind the scenes activities in an airport which was interesting.
May 29, 2013
Visiting the book fair last month, I’ve found this small book. I like Tony Parsons a lot, and I was wondering how I didn’t know about this book. I’ve found out that he spent seven days at Heathrow as official airport writer just to write these seven heart-warming stories of life.
Departures is a book made of seven stories. I’ve never been at Heathrow before, but these stories made me feel like I’ve always been there.
There is a boy who likes to watch the airplanes leaving and coming.
There is green airplane used for practice in case of fire.
There is a woman who works at customs, a man who takes care for the animals traveling across the world, a guy who takes care for the birds in front of the plane.
There is a whole city inside the airport. People coming and leaving, people saying goodbye, people welcoming their friends and families. Brides coming to marry Prince Harry, smugglers of drugs and jewelry. The stuff that works here has seen everything.
I don’t know how to write a review for a collection of stories, and not a novel. But I hope that you will enjoy this book as much as I did. It’s short and it won’t take much of your time. I recommend it for everyone. If you don’t trust me, trust Tony Parsons. I always enjoy reading his heart-warming books.
Departures is a book made of seven stories. I’ve never been at Heathrow before, but these stories made me feel like I’ve always been there.
There is a boy who likes to watch the airplanes leaving and coming.
There is green airplane used for practice in case of fire.
There is a woman who works at customs, a man who takes care for the animals traveling across the world, a guy who takes care for the birds in front of the plane.
There is a whole city inside the airport. People coming and leaving, people saying goodbye, people welcoming their friends and families. Brides coming to marry Prince Harry, smugglers of drugs and jewelry. The stuff that works here has seen everything.
I don’t know how to write a review for a collection of stories, and not a novel. But I hope that you will enjoy this book as much as I did. It’s short and it won’t take much of your time. I recommend it for everyone. If you don’t trust me, trust Tony Parsons. I always enjoy reading his heart-warming books.
March 11, 2018
This has made me want to read more Tony Parsons!
June 22, 2017
Great! Imádtam minden elbeszélés, pedig már rég elszoktam a novellák olvasásától, mert nem tudtam az elmúlt pár évben lekötni.
Megható, bájos, emelkedett történetek, amik megmutatják, milyen remek emberek dolgoznak Nagy-Britannia legnagyobb repterén.
Nyilván vannak irodalmilag sokkal értékesebb művek is. De nem kell minden regénynek-novellának olyan emelkedettnek vagy éppen mélynek lennie, hogy az ember elfáradjon az olvasásában.
Szívből tudom ajánlani Mindenkinek.
Megható, bájos, emelkedett történetek, amik megmutatják, milyen remek emberek dolgoznak Nagy-Britannia legnagyobb repterén.
Nyilván vannak irodalmilag sokkal értékesebb művek is. De nem kell minden regénynek-novellának olyan emelkedettnek vagy éppen mélynek lennie, hogy az ember elfáradjon az olvasásában.
Szívből tudom ajánlani Mindenkinek.
December 27, 2017
Enjoyed some stories more than others, but wasn't a huge fan of the format.
Dipping in and out of characters only really works for me if it's consistent, but this book confused things slightly as to whether the stories were all crossed over or separate. Obviously the final story combined storylines, but this wasn't even touched upon in most chapters so I didn't ever really settle in to the narratives.
Not for me, but nothing terrible to say.
Dipping in and out of characters only really works for me if it's consistent, but this book confused things slightly as to whether the stories were all crossed over or separate. Obviously the final story combined storylines, but this wasn't even touched upon in most chapters so I didn't ever really settle in to the narratives.
Not for me, but nothing terrible to say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
A great set of stories from a good writer.
Loved the stories were based on an airport. The stories are full of insight of the kind of people who pass through the airport and about those who make it possible for them to do so.
Perhaps I enjoyed them more, because as a student of the craft, I could see how he worked the details of an airport and used it to weave stories. Also I am always fascinated by the airport and the kind of stories it contains.
Parsons does a good job of it.
Loved the stories were based on an airport. The stories are full of insight of the kind of people who pass through the airport and about those who make it possible for them to do so.
Perhaps I enjoyed them more, because as a student of the craft, I could see how he worked the details of an airport and used it to weave stories. Also I am always fascinated by the airport and the kind of stories it contains.
Parsons does a good job of it.
August 7, 2021
Knjiga kupljena na aerodromu, posto sam dosla ranije i imala vise od sat vremena do sletanja aviona. Odlasci govori bas o aerodromu (Hitrou), sedam razlicitih prica o porodicama, decackim snovima, psima, pticama (dok sedim u autu na parkingu aerodroma i citam, ogromno jato vrana grakce, leti, odlazi i dolazi na obliznje krosnje). Lagana lektira, ali nikako povrsna.
February 13, 2018
Iako možda izgleda kao kratka knjiga, kao knjiga koja vam ne može puno reći - varate se. Pisac na jako jednostavn način prikazuje ono što vidimo svaki dan, ono pored čega hodimo svaki dan. Ljude i njihove živote, tužne i sretne priče. Ono najljepše. Topla preporuka za ovu jako neobičnu knjigu.
November 30, 2020
My overall view of this book was not that good. I could empathize with a few characters, and yes there was a lot of information about behinds the scenes at the airport which might work with a TV docu drama, but did not translate well to these short stories. Disappointed.
March 19, 2020
7 priča punih topline i emocija smeštenih na mestu gde ukrštaju putevi i sudbine kako onih koji putuju tako i onih koji se o putnicima staraju. Preporuke.
November 8, 2021
Great short stories. Working in aeroport, learn some works station didnot even thought it is existing
.
.
November 20, 2013
British writer Tony Parsons spent a week inside of London's Heathrow Airport as a writer in residence, during which time he wrote this short collection containing seven stories about various professionals working there, from animal caretakers and customs agents, to pilots and runway maintenance workers. There are also two stories that mainly focus on travelers, those being the first story "The Green Plane" and the story "The Final Call."
My first impression of this collection was lukewarm. The characters felt flat, the stories were predictable and the writing was only so-so. This includes the first two stories "The Green Plane" and "Fur, Actually."
The narration was better with "The Pilot's Room," though in the end left me disappointed since I felt that I wasn't given the chance to connect with the characters in the way that I should have in order to experience the end in a meaningful way, and the story didn't make a lot of sense.
The stories made a solid improvement after "The Pilot's Room," with "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" which showed the thought processes of one of the customs agents when she was evaluating travelers and the results of her suspicions, "No Tower For Old Men" which told the story of a young Air Traffic Controller and his perspectives on his job, resulting social status and the functions of the airport, "The Young Man and the Sky" which told the story of a new recruit to the airfield maintenance team (my one pet peeve is that unlike the other stories, none of the characters in this story are given names, and it becomes distracting) and the first lessons that he learns, and "Final Call" which shows a family of four preparing to return to live back in Australia after being Londoners for ten years and wraps up some of the earlier stories (possibly my favourite).
There were a couple of segments that I enjoyed:
1) At night the airport glittered like a box of jewels poured out by some careless god.
2) And he thought that while you could never become English, and while it was not easy to even become British in a mere ten years, you could certainly become a Londoner. For him the process had begun here - at London's airport.
Damon had traveled the world for business and knew that airports were often just the punctuation marks of a lifetime, the twilight spaces between places and people, the no-man's land between what had happened and what was yet to be.
#2 continues to go on that for Damon, "He had learned that at Heathrow," which considering the preceding paragraph that says, "For him the process had begun here - at London's airport," seems redundant and a little too ad-copy for me, so I mentally struck it out and managed to enjoy the segment as I have it above.
If you enjoy travel and marvel at airplanes, airports and the possibilities for human connections and separations that they create, this would be a good collection for you to pick up. While there are some sad moments in the collection, for the most part it is a positive reflection on the inhabitants and goings-on in Heathrow.
This is a "2.5 - 3 star" book, which I would recommend for airport aficionados, London enthusiasts, people looking for small short story collections (such as those trying to complete their yearly book challenge!) and possibly teenaged readers since for the most part the stories are pretty tame (one drug overdose aside).
And no, the sombrero on the cover is never explained.
My first impression of this collection was lukewarm. The characters felt flat, the stories were predictable and the writing was only so-so. This includes the first two stories "The Green Plane" and "Fur, Actually."
The narration was better with "The Pilot's Room," though in the end left me disappointed since I felt that I wasn't given the chance to connect with the characters in the way that I should have in order to experience the end in a meaningful way, and the story didn't make a lot of sense.
The stories made a solid improvement after "The Pilot's Room," with "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" which showed the thought processes of one of the customs agents when she was evaluating travelers and the results of her suspicions, "No Tower For Old Men" which told the story of a young Air Traffic Controller and his perspectives on his job, resulting social status and the functions of the airport, "The Young Man and the Sky" which told the story of a new recruit to the airfield maintenance team (my one pet peeve is that unlike the other stories, none of the characters in this story are given names, and it becomes distracting) and the first lessons that he learns, and "Final Call" which shows a family of four preparing to return to live back in Australia after being Londoners for ten years and wraps up some of the earlier stories (possibly my favourite).
There were a couple of segments that I enjoyed:
1) At night the airport glittered like a box of jewels poured out by some careless god.
2) And he thought that while you could never become English, and while it was not easy to even become British in a mere ten years, you could certainly become a Londoner. For him the process had begun here - at London's airport.
Damon had traveled the world for business and knew that airports were often just the punctuation marks of a lifetime, the twilight spaces between places and people, the no-man's land between what had happened and what was yet to be.
#2 continues to go on that for Damon, "He had learned that at Heathrow," which considering the preceding paragraph that says, "For him the process had begun here - at London's airport," seems redundant and a little too ad-copy for me, so I mentally struck it out and managed to enjoy the segment as I have it above.
If you enjoy travel and marvel at airplanes, airports and the possibilities for human connections and separations that they create, this would be a good collection for you to pick up. While there are some sad moments in the collection, for the most part it is a positive reflection on the inhabitants and goings-on in Heathrow.
This is a "2.5 - 3 star" book, which I would recommend for airport aficionados, London enthusiasts, people looking for small short story collections (such as those trying to complete their yearly book challenge!) and possibly teenaged readers since for the most part the stories are pretty tame (one drug overdose aside).
And no, the sombrero on the cover is never explained.
March 1, 2017
Pretty junky tbh
June 13, 2015
This is a pleasant collection of sevens stories related to the staff and travellers who frequent Heathrow Airport in London. The stories are all stand alone however there is some overlap where characters reappear in later stories.
All the stories are interesting snippets of life in a busy airport. People using the airport vary from the rich and famous to drug mules, to hopeful romantics and to average families. Each one has a story to tell.
The staff also cover a cross section of society with those spending their first day on the job, or their first years in a new career, along with seasoned staff who have seen every scenario played out.
I was quite impressed with Tony Parsons as a story teller. He was able to take simple daily happenings and provide insights into human nature by adding depth and colour to each incident.
An enjoyable collection of short stories.
All the stories are interesting snippets of life in a busy airport. People using the airport vary from the rich and famous to drug mules, to hopeful romantics and to average families. Each one has a story to tell.
The staff also cover a cross section of society with those spending their first day on the job, or their first years in a new career, along with seasoned staff who have seen every scenario played out.
I was quite impressed with Tony Parsons as a story teller. He was able to take simple daily happenings and provide insights into human nature by adding depth and colour to each incident.
An enjoyable collection of short stories.
August 1, 2014
I'm a very big fan of Tony Parsons and I was left wanting more from this collection of short stories.
I was truly excited to see what Parsons had written after spending a week at Heathrow Airport as a writer in residence. Parsons for me failed to deliver.
With the seven stories, I felt that Parsons had created characters with no depth, no passion, no motivation and was lukewarm at best. I just felt that he was disconnected from his characters which is very unusual for Parsons as that is his biggest strength.
But overall, there was some moments in the collection that were beautifully done but overall, I just felt disappointed and left wondering why. And I feel that it's a shame as I felt that Parsons didn't deliver and could have done more and shown just how talented he really is.
I was truly excited to see what Parsons had written after spending a week at Heathrow Airport as a writer in residence. Parsons for me failed to deliver.
With the seven stories, I felt that Parsons had created characters with no depth, no passion, no motivation and was lukewarm at best. I just felt that he was disconnected from his characters which is very unusual for Parsons as that is his biggest strength.
But overall, there was some moments in the collection that were beautifully done but overall, I just felt disappointed and left wondering why. And I feel that it's a shame as I felt that Parsons didn't deliver and could have done more and shown just how talented he really is.
July 10, 2016
Még nem volt szerencsém az íróhoz, úgyhogy nem tudtam, mit várhatok tőle. De kifejezetten tetszettek a történetek. Az elsőnél átéreztem a nő félelmét, én még életemben nem repültem, és tuti be lennék tojva az első utam előtt. Neki ugyan nem az első volt, de hát na, vannak dolgok amiktől az ember fél.
A második történetnél kicsit irigyeltem Tim-et, bár nem lehet egyszerű munka, biztos, hogy rengeteg gyönyörű (és veszélyes) állattal találkozhat.
Jazz munkáját viszont biztos, hogy semmi pénzért nem végezném. Kiszúrni, hogy ki az, akinek nem lehet megengedni, hogy belépjen az országba, kinek van rejtegetnivalója...nem, ebben sose voltam jó.
Viszont egyszer megnézném azokat, akik a toronyból irányítják a gépeket.
Szóval érdekes volt, és tetszett, hogy néhol összeértek a történetek.
A második történetnél kicsit irigyeltem Tim-et, bár nem lehet egyszerű munka, biztos, hogy rengeteg gyönyörű (és veszélyes) állattal találkozhat.
Jazz munkáját viszont biztos, hogy semmi pénzért nem végezném. Kiszúrni, hogy ki az, akinek nem lehet megengedni, hogy belépjen az országba, kinek van rejtegetnivalója...nem, ebben sose voltam jó.
Viszont egyszer megnézném azokat, akik a toronyból irányítják a gépeket.
Szóval érdekes volt, és tetszett, hogy néhol összeértek a történetek.
September 3, 2016
I got this book out as I wanted to read something quick and easy in a few days. This book was really interesting as it was 7 semi-true stories about the different aspects of Heathrow airport. As someone who loves travelling and finds airports fascinating it was a fun light read. I would definitely recommend it as a quick beach, flight or journey read. Just what I needed to get me back into the swing of reading. I feel like I have been so busy atm that I haven't had much time to read, so it was nice to read something short and sweet.
October 17, 2016
Oh I'm so sad that this already over. I loved most of these short stories and the way that they all intertwined gave me a little thrill. I think my favourite had to be the one following UKBA, and afterwards I was disappointed to find that my own medical conditions would prevent me from joining their ranks. But at least thanks to Tony Parsons I had the opportunity to follow them for a day.
These really are some lovely little stories although you may want a tissue handy for Fur Actually.
These really are some lovely little stories although you may want a tissue handy for Fur Actually.
February 12, 2017
Mislio je na roštilje vikendom, na decu na travnjaku i na roditeljske sastanke. Mislio je na starost uz nekoga. Mislio je na dom u kom živiš sa ženom koju si odabrao među svim ženama sveta, i koja je tebe odabrala među svim muškarcima sveta.
I prvi put u životu Spajk je u svemu tome video nekakav smisao.
I prvi put u životu Spajk je u svemu tome video nekakav smisao.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2015
Charming collection of feel-good short stories about a large airport. (Heath Row, but I'm sure it could be any large airport.) Though I thoroughly enjoyed the stories myself, it occurred to me this would be a great book for an adult to read to an older child. (Eight or nine and up.) I read to my kids well past the age that they could read by themselves. It's a lovely shared family activity.
October 6, 2016
I read this collection of the stories really slowly, because I really wanted to enjoy every single one the most I possibly can. And it was worth it. Tony Parsons really did not waste his time at the airport. Well written stories with strong messages. Easy five-stars for this one. I expected nothing less from him.
March 16, 2013
Good collection of short stories, giving an insight into various aspects of Heathrow life. As usual with Parsons accurate in detail but also big in the human side of everyday life. Last story nicely wraps together several of the threads from previous stories. A very nice read.
February 14, 2015
I enjoyed learning certain original facts about heathrow such as the animal centre or the tower but was not particularly impressed with the style nor the sequence of chapters. Could have been much more interesting and original. Read June 2013
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews