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Common People
In this unforgettable new collection, Tony Birch introduces a cast of characters from all walks of life. These remarkable and surprising stories capture common people caught up in the everyday business of living and the struggle to survive. From a young girl who is gifted to a middle-class family for Christmas to a homeless deaf man unexpectedly faced with the miracle of a new life, Birch’s stories are set in gritty urban refuges and battling regional communities. His deftly drawn characters find unexpected signs of hope in a world where beauty can be found on every street corner – a message on a T-shirt, a friend in a stray dog or a star in the night sky. Common People shines a light on human nature and how the ordinary kindness of strangers can have extraordinary results. With characteristic insight and restraint, Tony Birch reinforces his reputation as a master storyteller. Stories "The Ghost Train", "Harmless", "Colours", "Joe Roberts", "The White Girl", "Party Lights", "Paper Moon", "Painted Glass", "Frank Slim", "Liam", "Raven and Sons", "The Good Howard", "Sissy", "Death Star", "Worship".
232 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2017
38 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Tony Birch
47 books354 followersTony Birch is the author of Ghost River, which won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing and Blood, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. He is also the author of Shadowboxing and three short story collections, Father’s Day, The Promise and Common People. In 2017 he was awarded the Patrick White Literary Award. Tony is a frequent contributor to ABC local and national radio and a regular guest at writers’ festivals. He lives in Melbourne and is a Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this short story collection about many people living less than desirable lives in modern day surburbian and regional Australia.
September 7, 2018
Disappointing. Really like his other work; this falls short on all fronts. A very weak collection in general. The stories are too simplistic, and end in the kind of way that indicates a profound truth, but is not achieved at all - certainly not like Birch's other works. The stories are truthful, broad and, most promisingly, about common people - the everyman - but I felt were too basic and explored only the surface level.
November 20, 2017
What a fine writer Tony Birch is - this is such a great collection of stories
November 4, 2017
Compassionate, understated, these stories are slices of life in Australia, giving us characters on the fringe of society, people you might overlook on a bus, at school, in a hospital waiting room. Tony Birch writes cleanly and maintains suspense and sometimes a sense of menace, but there is optimism throughout. It’s realist so expect some swearing and tough moments, but told with empathy.
July 25, 2018
Loved it!! I don’t normally like short stories but these were so well written. Beautiful images created. And I particularly loved the Indigenous stories.
July 24, 2019
There's a delightful touch in characterisation and setting in Tony's work. It's a delight to read.
October 3, 2020
What is most striking about this collection of short stories is Birch's compassion for the fringe dwellers about whom he writes. Males, females, children, adults, Indigenous, non-Indigenous, most of his characters struggled against limitations imposed upon them in Australian society by their race, by their class, by their financial situation, and by the imbalance of power that resulted from these hardships.
For me, the element that distinguishes a short story is the author's ability to focus on one incident or condition that somehow encapsulates the world of his character and allows the reader to see the character's place in that world from just this one glimpse. On this basis, Birch has succeeded in creating astute perceptions. His featured children touched me the most: the two Indigenous young girls who saw the pity and fear behind the motivations of the white women who had invited them into their families; the daughter of a man hospitalised for his mental illness, which she does not understand; the pregnant teen who was helped by the homeless recluse, Harmless. In the best of the stories, a moment of kindness or hope made a difference to the lives Birch portrayed.
For me, the element that distinguishes a short story is the author's ability to focus on one incident or condition that somehow encapsulates the world of his character and allows the reader to see the character's place in that world from just this one glimpse. On this basis, Birch has succeeded in creating astute perceptions. His featured children touched me the most: the two Indigenous young girls who saw the pity and fear behind the motivations of the white women who had invited them into their families; the daughter of a man hospitalised for his mental illness, which she does not understand; the pregnant teen who was helped by the homeless recluse, Harmless. In the best of the stories, a moment of kindness or hope made a difference to the lives Birch portrayed.
May 25, 2021
I haven't read a collection of short stories before but I am so glad I finally got to these. While there are stories of struggle and despair, there is also hope and optimism. The stories were moving and while they were struggles, I love the way Birch writes with humour, compassion and hope. Birch does write of common people, as the title indicates and while initially they seem simplistic, they have such depth and I will be thinking of them for some time to come. My only issue is that I would have liked more and that's always a good thing when you finish a story. Excited to get to the next one I have on my shelf my Birch.
October 18, 2023
Some interesting stories that explore the inner lives of a variety of different men, women and children. Some of my favourites did a great job evoking the feel of old rural australian towns, e.g "Liam", "Death Star", "Harmless". Other than that a favorite was "Joe Roberts" which partly looked at the healthcare experience from a patients perspective.
One major flaw I found was the stories which had child protagonists seemed unrealistic in the complexity of inner thoughts and dialogue they gave to quite young children like 5-12 year old children. It was just a little distracting.
One major flaw I found was the stories which had child protagonists seemed unrealistic in the complexity of inner thoughts and dialogue they gave to quite young children like 5-12 year old children. It was just a little distracting.
April 29, 2019
A great collection of short stories exploring the lives of common people throughout Australia across different time periods. Some stories stronger than others, but some beautiful lines scattered and poignant moments throughout. Shamefully this was my first Tony Birch read and I'll be certainly heading to his backlist now.
January 21, 2023
Tony Birch is the master of a short story. Each contribution is of a high standard- there aren't two or three lesser ones thrown in to pad out to the collection.
His settings are tangible and characters given a whole lifetime in less than 15 pages.
His settings are tangible and characters given a whole lifetime in less than 15 pages.
January 6, 2019
Some engaging, matter-of-fact short stories, filled with endearing and moving moments. A few made me laugh, others made me consider situations in Australia on an even deeper level.
April 16, 2018
3 1/2 stars. A collection of short stories that reflect on disenfranchisement in the forms of race, socio-economic status, addiction, ageing, mental health issues and unemployment. Birch examines the causes and effects on ‘common’ people.
November 17, 2019
I knew this was going to be a great collection, and lo, it is. I think perhaps my favourite is the story of a genealogist hired by a closing-down funeral home, but it's a close call. The depth of attention here: to character, to different grades of urban, suburban and rural setting, to economic and racial factors, is phenomenal but never laboured. Brilliant work.
September 2, 2024
Tony Birch has to have some of the greatest writing of all time. These short stories are no exception
May 17, 2018
Something of a disappointment. Some of the stories work well but a number of them felt very clunky and not up to Tony's usual high standards.
February 7, 2021
Pop Sugar 16 a book by an indigenous author
November 19, 2017
This collection of unrelated short stories sheds light on the harsh world of Australian aborigines. Every story feels real. All the events that happen in the stories feel real.
The stories tell about Aboriginal people living in poor economic and social conditions and what they do. There are no explicit value judgements made about the characters in the stories. The hardships that they endure are not focused upon. Quite the opposite. They are accepted because this is how it is for these people. The underlying assumption is that these people are all survivors and they could be just like anybody else who is forced to survive in difficult circumstances.
There is no explicit confrontation. Rape, theft, abuse, domestic violence, dishonesty all happen in the stories, but here it is M-rated, not MA or R-rated. In all the stories there are acts of kindness, generosity, love and affection. There is also revenge, disobedience, spite and malice. There is alcoholism, prostitution, homelessness - all of which we would expect. The background is seedy, but in the foreground is the friendship and love and humanity that Aborigines have in abundance.
Tony Birch writes with fluidity, and a little humour (peppered into the stories), and often there is a twist at the end of each of the short stories. He has a keen eye, the descriptive narrative is always accurate, and there are simple dialogues which contain nuggets of wisdom.
This book is not trying to make an empassioned plea for Aborigines. It is not a rallying cry for underprivileged Aborigines. This book is definitely not rooted in Aborigine identity politics, although it is unmistakably about Aborigines. This book is definitely not pc. It is not making out that Aborigines are angels, or that they are hard done by, or that they deserve better. It is not making any political points that Aborigines should stir themselves out of their lowly conditions. There are no explicit value judgements - about their employment, their way of life, their habits, and so on. What matters is their humanity.
The stories focus on character - a character that displays a love and appreciation for another character is implicitly admired. A character that displays hateful behaviour towards another character is despised.
This book is well worth reading.
The stories tell about Aboriginal people living in poor economic and social conditions and what they do. There are no explicit value judgements made about the characters in the stories. The hardships that they endure are not focused upon. Quite the opposite. They are accepted because this is how it is for these people. The underlying assumption is that these people are all survivors and they could be just like anybody else who is forced to survive in difficult circumstances.
There is no explicit confrontation. Rape, theft, abuse, domestic violence, dishonesty all happen in the stories, but here it is M-rated, not MA or R-rated. In all the stories there are acts of kindness, generosity, love and affection. There is also revenge, disobedience, spite and malice. There is alcoholism, prostitution, homelessness - all of which we would expect. The background is seedy, but in the foreground is the friendship and love and humanity that Aborigines have in abundance.
Tony Birch writes with fluidity, and a little humour (peppered into the stories), and often there is a twist at the end of each of the short stories. He has a keen eye, the descriptive narrative is always accurate, and there are simple dialogues which contain nuggets of wisdom.
This book is not trying to make an empassioned plea for Aborigines. It is not a rallying cry for underprivileged Aborigines. This book is definitely not rooted in Aborigine identity politics, although it is unmistakably about Aborigines. This book is definitely not pc. It is not making out that Aborigines are angels, or that they are hard done by, or that they deserve better. It is not making any political points that Aborigines should stir themselves out of their lowly conditions. There are no explicit value judgements - about their employment, their way of life, their habits, and so on. What matters is their humanity.
The stories focus on character - a character that displays a love and appreciation for another character is implicitly admired. A character that displays hateful behaviour towards another character is despised.
This book is well worth reading.
January 18, 2018
This collection of 15 short stories by Tony Birch brings us stories of the everyday as it is lived by marginalised people. The title is ironic, because although it implies that these people are all around, often unseen, they are nonetheless remarkable.
The first story, ‘Ghost Train’ is confronting. Two single mothers, Marian and Lydia, drive to a remote site in the country for a cash-in-hand meat-packing job which turns out to be in an off-the-grid slaughterhouse. Marian is wearing a skimpy T-shirt featuring an image of Barack Obama, and on the way to the job she cops some good-natured ribbing from her friend who thinks that the gift of a T-shirt is an inadequate recompense for sleeping with a wife-cheating loser called Justin. But Marian says she likes it:
Marian and her T-shirt are smeared with blood by the time they leave, one hundred and fifty dollars cash each in their pockets. But Lydia’s day hasn’t done anything to restore any sense of hope because her heart is aching along with her shoulders. She saw something really grisly when she slipped away from her work and went the wrong way to the toilet. In the last shipping container they are processing the carcasses of animals that none of us would knowingly eat. And the manager judges correctly that a guarantee of future work will ensure her silence.
Birch doesn’t romanticise the marginalised: Marian makes assumptions about a Vietnamese woman and is rude about her, within her hearing because she assumes she can’t understand English. Rose gets a quiet form of comeuppance at the end of the story, which I really liked.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/01/18/c...
The first story, ‘Ghost Train’ is confronting. Two single mothers, Marian and Lydia, drive to a remote site in the country for a cash-in-hand meat-packing job which turns out to be in an off-the-grid slaughterhouse. Marian is wearing a skimpy T-shirt featuring an image of Barack Obama, and on the way to the job she cops some good-natured ribbing from her friend who thinks that the gift of a T-shirt is an inadequate recompense for sleeping with a wife-cheating loser called Justin. But Marian says she likes it:
Marian ran a fingernail across the word HOPE below the president’s face. ‘I don’t care. I love the T-shirt, and the message. It’s saying, you know, don’t give up. Hope!’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yeah. There’s nothing wrong with hope, Lydia. Just because you’ve given up on the world, doesn’t mean the rest of us have to. (p.3)
Marian and her T-shirt are smeared with blood by the time they leave, one hundred and fifty dollars cash each in their pockets. But Lydia’s day hasn’t done anything to restore any sense of hope because her heart is aching along with her shoulders. She saw something really grisly when she slipped away from her work and went the wrong way to the toilet. In the last shipping container they are processing the carcasses of animals that none of us would knowingly eat. And the manager judges correctly that a guarantee of future work will ensure her silence.
Birch doesn’t romanticise the marginalised: Marian makes assumptions about a Vietnamese woman and is rude about her, within her hearing because she assumes she can’t understand English. Rose gets a quiet form of comeuppance at the end of the story, which I really liked.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/01/18/c...
April 7, 2018
3.5 stars
Finely cut short stories from someone who's clearly mastered the craft. Each short story is immediate; sliding you in with clean writing and vivid setting. You could march through this collection in one heady sitting, but spacing them out, like chocolate, is best. Indigenous characters are featured alongside perhaps white people, that is not explicit but what is is this sense of fairly tough characters who all seem to, without question, overcome and endure. Why wouldn't you. This is Australia; the dodgy parts, the outback towns, and dear Melbourne. There isn't really a story here which doesn't have something to say or show. But this isn't a particularly political collection, it isn't a call to arms in any sense. This is a collection to show the, for want of a better term, underclasses of Australia--told by someone who knows these places and people all too well. Their character, humour, warmth, strength -- the hope. Certainly, as has been highlighted by many, this book is filled with hope, perhaps alongside, at times, heavier doses of symbolism. Much to admire, however, in these masterfully and minutely controlled stories. Standouts among what is already a collection sans dud track are The Ghost Train, Harmless, The White Girl, and Party Lights. Definitely worth picking this up, particularly if you want to know what is going on in Australian Literature at this very moment.
Finely cut short stories from someone who's clearly mastered the craft. Each short story is immediate; sliding you in with clean writing and vivid setting. You could march through this collection in one heady sitting, but spacing them out, like chocolate, is best. Indigenous characters are featured alongside perhaps white people, that is not explicit but what is is this sense of fairly tough characters who all seem to, without question, overcome and endure. Why wouldn't you. This is Australia; the dodgy parts, the outback towns, and dear Melbourne. There isn't really a story here which doesn't have something to say or show. But this isn't a particularly political collection, it isn't a call to arms in any sense. This is a collection to show the, for want of a better term, underclasses of Australia--told by someone who knows these places and people all too well. Their character, humour, warmth, strength -- the hope. Certainly, as has been highlighted by many, this book is filled with hope, perhaps alongside, at times, heavier doses of symbolism. Much to admire, however, in these masterfully and minutely controlled stories. Standouts among what is already a collection sans dud track are The Ghost Train, Harmless, The White Girl, and Party Lights. Definitely worth picking this up, particularly if you want to know what is going on in Australian Literature at this very moment.
March 7, 2023
Tony Birch is an acclaimed Indigenous Australian author and he has been prolific in his writing with short stories his main genre. I read his novel The White Girl a couple of years ago and enjoyed it but didn’t absolutely fall in love so I was keen to try more. Common People was my first pick and I can definitely say Tony Birch is a master craftsman when it comes to short stories.
Each short story was perfectly formed and each really embodied the title of the collection. The subjects are all everyday people experiencing life in all its everyday messiness. The first story is an absolute shock to the system which I think is intended to place you squarely into the world of the people who might sail under the radar of those of us privileged of us to not be living pay check to pay check.
The characters are gritty and real. They move from two women packing meat overnight in the most full on of circumstances to a homeless man that helps birth a baby to a family who invites a stray dog into their home.
I had two main favourites, although I really did enjoy most of these stories. Painted Glass was about a journalist who has lost his job and then has a car accident leading to therapy. His visit to the National Gallery of Victoria was so moving. Then Raven and Sons was about a woman contracted by the owners of a funeral home who are selling after the business has been in the family for generations. They want her help to reunite the remains of people that haven’t been collected over many years. Her search to reunite the remains of a newborn baby with its family was so poignant.
Common People was very easy to read and a joy to fall into. This collection was a touching and moving look at little snippets of people's lives. I’m definitely a fan of Tony Birch’s writing now!
Each short story was perfectly formed and each really embodied the title of the collection. The subjects are all everyday people experiencing life in all its everyday messiness. The first story is an absolute shock to the system which I think is intended to place you squarely into the world of the people who might sail under the radar of those of us privileged of us to not be living pay check to pay check.
The characters are gritty and real. They move from two women packing meat overnight in the most full on of circumstances to a homeless man that helps birth a baby to a family who invites a stray dog into their home.
I had two main favourites, although I really did enjoy most of these stories. Painted Glass was about a journalist who has lost his job and then has a car accident leading to therapy. His visit to the National Gallery of Victoria was so moving. Then Raven and Sons was about a woman contracted by the owners of a funeral home who are selling after the business has been in the family for generations. They want her help to reunite the remains of people that haven’t been collected over many years. Her search to reunite the remains of a newborn baby with its family was so poignant.
Common People was very easy to read and a joy to fall into. This collection was a touching and moving look at little snippets of people's lives. I’m definitely a fan of Tony Birch’s writing now!
April 8, 2018
Another highly readable collection by Tony Birch. He writes in a very simple, almost slight, minimal style that suits the everyday people in his stories.
He's at his best writing from a child's point of view. "Sissy" tells the story of an aboriginal girl who balks at a holiday with a wealthy white family, "Death Star" of a would be car thief on the verge of taking over his dead brother's legacy and "The White Girl" of an aboriginal boy's crush on an altruistic white girl - a story with an open ended close that is quite poignant, if creepy.
Some of the stories did feel a little light, a bit too brief. This proved a plus for my dad, who wouldn't have read many short story collections - he absolutely loved them.
He's at his best writing from a child's point of view. "Sissy" tells the story of an aboriginal girl who balks at a holiday with a wealthy white family, "Death Star" of a would be car thief on the verge of taking over his dead brother's legacy and "The White Girl" of an aboriginal boy's crush on an altruistic white girl - a story with an open ended close that is quite poignant, if creepy.
Some of the stories did feel a little light, a bit too brief. This proved a plus for my dad, who wouldn't have read many short story collections - he absolutely loved them.
August 6, 2018
I admired Birch's Ghost River and the way he wrote about the marginalised of Melbourne. In this collection his characters are from the urban underclass and also the regional poor, including Aboriginals. They are all living on the edge of society, some scrounging a legitimate living, others involved in petty crime. My most memorable character was 'Harmless' - an elusive man who sleeps on the town park benches or retreats into the bush. But it is Harmless who gives the townspeople - and readers - a surprise with his capable handling of a grim situation. Moments of hope like these are glimpsed in these honest, unflinching stories. I'm sorry I couldn't finish the collection because the book was due back at the library. Another time...
Three and a half stars.
Three and a half stars.
February 22, 2023
Plus:
I really enjoyed the following stories:
The Ghost Train, Joe Roberts, Paper Moon, Frank Slim.
In the stories included in the collection Birch has proven himself capable of crafting interesting characters in short-form fiction.
Minus:
Short story collections can be a mixed bag. I think the only one that I really didn't enjoy was Party Lights.
There were 1-2 that, while interesting, I felt like I didn't completely understand, for example, the ending of Colours.
I felt that the story seemed the odd one out of the collection for the surrealism of its ending.
Interesting:
Great collection of stories by Australian author Tony Birch.
I did enjoy the collection more than I enjoyed his novel The White Girl. That's not a slight The White Girl, for what it's worth.
I really enjoyed the following stories:
The Ghost Train, Joe Roberts, Paper Moon, Frank Slim.
In the stories included in the collection Birch has proven himself capable of crafting interesting characters in short-form fiction.
Minus:
Short story collections can be a mixed bag. I think the only one that I really didn't enjoy was Party Lights.
There were 1-2 that, while interesting, I felt like I didn't completely understand, for example, the ending of Colours.
I felt that the story seemed the odd one out of the collection for the surrealism of its ending.
Interesting:
Great collection of stories by Australian author Tony Birch.
I did enjoy the collection more than I enjoyed his novel The White Girl. That's not a slight The White Girl, for what it's worth.
July 19, 2025
I am a sucker for a short story collection.
And this was a REALLY good set of short stories. I think these ones were brilliant because they really understood what the art of the short story is, in that these magnetic, captivating characters were created and explored almost effortlessly in a brief snapshot of a life. Each part of the collection was individual, and not repetitive, and the way they focussed tangentially on one issue was a masterclass in this style of writing.
Sometimes short stories feel complete, and you can happily put down the book after one and return the next day, but I felt the need to devour this entire collection in just a few sittings, as I almost compulsively turned the page and began “just one more” of these insightful tales.
And this was a REALLY good set of short stories. I think these ones were brilliant because they really understood what the art of the short story is, in that these magnetic, captivating characters were created and explored almost effortlessly in a brief snapshot of a life. Each part of the collection was individual, and not repetitive, and the way they focussed tangentially on one issue was a masterclass in this style of writing.
Sometimes short stories feel complete, and you can happily put down the book after one and return the next day, but I felt the need to devour this entire collection in just a few sittings, as I almost compulsively turned the page and began “just one more” of these insightful tales.
December 27, 2019
Tony Birch in this book (collection of short stories) brings to life the stories of ordinary people, their struggles and challenges! Some of the stories may look too simple or common, but these are the stories of people sitting next to us on tram, working next to us at office or a neighbor which we know little about! The real life stories of people with their struggles and ups and downs!
I have read few of Tony Birch's books and they helped me a lot in connecting to Melbourne as a migrant, to get to know the city and its people and the history of it (Shadow Boxing and Ghost River). I enjoyed reading this one too!
I have read few of Tony Birch's books and they helped me a lot in connecting to Melbourne as a migrant, to get to know the city and its people and the history of it (Shadow Boxing and Ghost River). I enjoyed reading this one too!
September 10, 2020
Such an enjoyable read, blew through all 215 pages in a little over a day. Birch recognises beauty and meaning where you'd never expect, makes you reflect on things you might not have ever considered, and gives really thoughtful insight into the struggles of others. If you're looking for a great collection of short stories, get this book. If you're looking to walk a mile in the shoes of those you've never really given a second thought to, get this book. If you're looking to support indigenous creators (you should be) get this book!!! I very much enjoyed this and I'll be sure to check out Birch's back catalogue as soon as I can!
November 10, 2019
A book of short stories of the lives of common people. I found this book fascinating in the variety of everyday lives he managed to cover, but short episodes in very every day lives. His prose was pared down but revealed very different aspects of life.
I recommend this book for providing insight into lives you may never have come across but that will help you recognise the breadth of ordinary people.
I recommend this book for providing insight into lives you may never have come across but that will help you recognise the breadth of ordinary people.
December 8, 2019
#82. Common People by Tony Birch. I love short stories and this collection is classic. I've been reading them intermittently between longer reads.
Each story deals with real people with whom we can identify, in real life situations. . . all gritty and thought provoking and realistic. Despite the brevity of each story, the characters are clearly drawn and come easily to life and the stories are very satisfying in themselves. Well worth reading. ****
Each story deals with real people with whom we can identify, in real life situations. . . all gritty and thought provoking and realistic. Despite the brevity of each story, the characters are clearly drawn and come easily to life and the stories are very satisfying in themselves. Well worth reading. ****
February 2, 2021
This collection of stories grew on me. Birch has a talent for creating fully-realised characters out of a minimum of description; he’s particularly good at expressing the inner life of kids.
For me, however, many of the stories were just a bit too aimless or ended too abruptly, before they had given up their insights. And some of the dialogue clunked.
Still, the stories took me back to parts of Australia that I’ve not visited for sometime, which made it worthwhile reading.
2.5 stars.
For me, however, many of the stories were just a bit too aimless or ended too abruptly, before they had given up their insights. And some of the dialogue clunked.
Still, the stories took me back to parts of Australia that I’ve not visited for sometime, which made it worthwhile reading.
2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews