The Butcherbird Stories

by A.S. Patric

Eleven stories. Each like a matchstick struck to illuminate the darkness. Evocations of place ranging from a Bangla jungle to the deep, blue Danube to a winter beach in Melbourne excite and seduce. But what truly draws the reader in are the unexpected landscapes of people's lives, explored with rare sensitivity, grace and a fearless truthfulness.
A lonely St Kilda chef invites a beautiful busker to use his spare room. A father sings a lullaby to comfort his young daughter who has woken from a nightmare. A taxi driver picks up an old-world gentleman who is reluctant to disclose his destination. A young immigrant boy growing up in the western suburbs of Melbourne daydreams of infinite possibility.
Death, loneliness, passion and belief: Patric takes on the big questions in life and writes about the small people of the world with stylistic verve and deep humanity.
This collection of stories reveals the author, best known for his award-winning novels, as a true master of the short story form.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2018

About the author

A. S. Patric is an award winning writer and author of Black Rock White City, listed as one of the best novels of 2015 by The Australian and The Australian Book Review. It has been highly commended by the judges of the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2016. He is also the author of Las Vegas for Vegans, a story collection shortlisted in the 2013 Queensland Literary Awards. His debut book is The Rattler & other stories, shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Award. He is also the author of Bruno Kramzer, a novella shortlisted for the Viva La Novella Prize. He is the winner of the Ned Kelly Award and the Booranga Prize. His stories have featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, Meanjin, Overland, Southerly, Island, Quadrant, in over 20 other literary journals, and in Best Australian Stories 2010 and 2012. He is publishing Atlantic Black late 2016, The Australian and The Readings Monthly calling it one of the most anticipated novels of the year.

Reviews

[Bram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb collection from Patric, and quite possibly his best to date. Finely-honed gems, one and all, but I particularly loved the novella-length The Flood.

[Michael Livingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some lovely stories in this collection, but I struggled to recapture much enthusiasm after dragging myself through the long story in the middle. I loved Black Rock, White City, but this didn't hit the same heights for me.

[Geoffrey Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are tough, in a good way, disturbing but grounded in human experiences of love and family. A. S. Patrić is an authentic writer among the ruins.

http://gatesyread.blogspot.com/2019/0...

[Jade Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book for the year and I’ve probably rated it slightly harshly! The first few stories in this one really draw you in, but unfortunately for me the enchantment was broken towards the end.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book that arrives as a hardback these days, is an event. Even Big Names are mostly published in paperback these days, and it’s rare to see time and effort put into book design and covers. But The Butcherbird Stories, a collection of short stories by Miles Franklin winner A.S. Patrić, has elegant pale mint boards, thick enough to have the title and author’s name embossed into the front cover. The dustcover design is by Peter Lo: it features an image increasingly common in the Aussie backyard: a swimming pool. But in this image there are ominous clouds on the horizon. Those clouds also feature on the endpapers.

And then there’s the title…

Butcherbirds are pretty to look at, but…

Butcherbirds […] get their name from their habit of impaling captured prey on a thorn, tree fork, or crevice. This “larder” is used to support the victim while it is being eaten, to store prey for later consumption, or to attract mates. (Wikipedia)

and

With its lovely, lilting song, the Grey Butcherbird may not seem to be a particularly intimidating species. However, with its strong, hooked beak and its fierce stare, the Grey Butcherbird is not a bird to be messed with. When a nest or newly fledged chick is around, if you venture too close, a butcherbird will swoop by flying straight at your face, sometimes striking with enough force to draw blood, and each swoop is accompanied by a loud, maniacal cackle. (Birdlife Australia)

Home of the BBQ. the Aussie backyard can also be a dangerous place.

To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/01/24/t...

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ | 4 Stars

A charming, eclectic collection of short stories. I particularly enjoyed the final piece, which I suspect is a semi-autobiographical exploration of an immigrant child's experience of suburban Australia. What let down the collection was the longest of the stories in the middle of the book, which happened to be my least favourite of the bunch.

[Jo | Booklover Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars. My introduction to A S Patric’s writing was his second published collection of short fiction Las Vegas for Vegans (2012) and I have read every title he has published since – a novella called Bruno Kramzer, his Miles Franklin award-winning debut novel Black Rock White City and second novel Atlantic Black . One always has the feeling of being in safe hands with A S Patric's writing — emotional confrontation, impact and reward guaranteed.

It is pleasing to see this latest collection The Butcherbird Stories published in quality hardback… something of a rarity these days, but its contents are deserving of such packaging. I took my time reading the eleven short fictions contained. From the shortest works of ‘H.B.’, ‘Amy in#12’ and ‘The Rothko’ at 3-5 pages to lengthier titles, 50+ page pieces ‘Among the Ruins’ and ‘The Flood’, each resonates long after reading. So much so, that it felt akin to sacrilege to dive straight into the next. I let myself ponder each a while. Read full review >>

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved everything I've read by AS Patric, which includes his Miles Franklin Award-winning Black Rock, White City and his next novel, Atlantic Black. Plus, I got him to come to speak to the students at my school and he's a lovely and erudite chap in real life. This collection of short stories definitely doesn't disappoint. Some of the stories seem conventional enough in a twisted kind of way, but there's always something to keep you guessing. My favourite was probably the long story that riffs on Kafka's The Trial, but in a really interesting way that doesn't reveal itself until the end (I don't think I've given away too much).

[Jack Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no doubt AS Patric is a formidable writer but I don’t have the stamina to enjoy some of the macabre and wildly imaginative rabbit holes that I fall into when reading his stuff.

When he is on song he challenges and fascinates me like some of the short stories I have read from Peter Carey.

Can I recommend this book? Sure! He is the new voice out there and he may evolve into an absolute legend.

Meantime, I sample his stuff - and then have a rest. He rattles me. But I keep on reading!

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A talented writer who uses the English language to perfection. This collection os short stories makes for an intelligent read...will be reading his other books. How did I not read them previously??? I did read somewhere he was being compared to Patrick White... I think that is flattering to White...I am not a fan, found his writing pompous and saw him as a vindictive nasty man. (we had to do his books at school).

[Coral Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very depressing stories. Wondered why the author thought it was a good idea to write these? Well written but by the time I had read about 4 of them I almost gave up. The shorter the story the better. Disappointing.

[Peter Spiker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of stories, most quite dark.

[Sami Munslow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not read if you're not ready for a whole bunch of sadness and distress piled into one book. Not a Summer read if you want to be happy.

[Nola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and puzzling, a treat for fans of short stories.

[priya ☁️]

disturbing but boring
beautifully written but boring
unique characters but boring
(plus some awkward inserts about India and Hinduism)