Gravel

by Peter Goldsworthy

Eight brilliant stories by a master of the form, author of the classic 'Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam' and 'The Kiss'

A contented woman finds herself considering a bizarre sexual invitation that just days before filled her with scorn. A mediocre man is pulled into a strange dance with his stalker. A father gives his daughter a Christmas present with a disturbing history. An ugly sports parent plays a game of ridiculous chance. A young boy's music lesson offers him a discordant insight into adult behaviour. And in a primal tale about the borderline between animals and humans, death is horrifyingly not the end of the story . . .

Compulsively readable, pitch-perfect in mood, Gravel ponders the forces that can wear down a marriage, darken desire, lead people to thwart their best intentions.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Peter Goldsworthy grew up in various Australian country towns, finishing his schooling in Darwin. After graduating in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1974, he worked for many years in alcohol and drug rehabiiltation. Since then, he has divided his time equally between writing and general practice. He has won major literary awards across a range of genres: poetry, short story, the novel, in opera, and most recently in theatre.

Reviews

[Noah Melser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories set in middle class Australia and deal with domestic difficulties and desires. His novel, Maestro, felt dense and the atmosphere was nicely developed. These stories on the other hand are engaging but focused on literal dramas and the characters transgressions seem to be the point without suggesting at deeper sense of doubt and meaning and ambiguity which makes it all feel cheap and pedestrian.

[Sophie (taylor's version) · Rating 1 out of 5]

THIS TRAUMATIED ME. I was reading this book, as you do, and the first story was, confusing I dint understand the purpose of it. The second, was also pointless but I want to talk about the third.

In the third story a married woman is exploring her sexuality.

After borrowing it from my school library I expected something more "Child-friendly" but instead I was faced with, im going to be blunt- VIOLENT SMUT. The husband tries to fuck her into oblivion with his perfect tongue. He spreads her 'lips'. WTF I am traumatised. I dint even read the last one/s I threw the book across the room and walked away. NEVER AGAIN.
Also he wrote about him putting himself 'Inside her' This might be me, but I feel as though that might be a little "women are objects" vibes if you get my drift.

[Alex Falconer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's one very good story in here: Shooting the Dog. It's also the only one that's not set in suburbia or the city. No lawyers or silk dresses in this story either.
Dialogues are witty but shallow, story premises are interesting enough but not thrilling. Narrative point of view is always third person; observant and analytical and not emotionally immersive. Necessary qualities for a doctor, which Goldsworthy also is, but insufficient for interesting fiction-writing.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, odd short stories. I liked the last one the best, about what would happen if an affair between a teenage girl & her middle aged lover was revealed at the girl's formal.

[Kylie Moppert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories, although sometimes a little over explained.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly readable short stories which left me feeling vaguely unsettled, and not quite satisfied with the outcomes. Shooting the Dog was vey disturbing,not for the dog lover. The Nun's Story was quite poignant, leaving a boy with his illusions shattered. None of the stories were happy, the protagonists all found themselves reacting intensely to strange situations and working themselves into a state over small things. Like the happily heterosexual woman who reacts strongly to a suggestion of a pass from a lesbian woman. Like the married woman who finds herself one of a dozen women being offered to a famous tenor for his 'relaxation.' I enjoyed them all. Perhaps I would compare them to some of those dark Roald Dahl stories, like Kiss Kiss.

[Malcolm Frawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read 7 (now 8) of Goldsworthy's books since 1999 & enjoyed them all, particularly Three Dog Night & Everything I Know. This collection of short stories is up there with his best. So often in the modern age short stories lack a key ingredient - a story - but these are sublime, & often contain either a twist you didn't see coming, or a pay-off that is so excruciatingly inevitable you can't wait to get to the end. They might even be a good place to start if you haven't yet ventured down Goldsworthy Lane. Highly recommended.

[Jayne Cravens · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good writer - I like his prose. But the point of every story seems to be that people are weak. Women are especially weak in his stories. No one is in control of their lives, everyone is easily manipulated by others, no one is comfortable with who they are -- especially the women in his stories. A very dark book.

[Amanda]

short stories well written but seemed a little… umm pointless. When i finished each story i wondered 'what the hell was that about?!' The author writes well but his actual plot lines need more substance.

[Simon Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of well-written short stories. Peter Goldsworthy gives us a glimpse inside the minds of his characters to show that they are all essentially human, with frailties like any other person.
Australians might appreciate better some of the references.
Enjoyable literature.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting short stories - well written but not outstanding -good title.

[Bookjewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the short stories!