Dont Try This At Home

A girl who repeatedly halves her boyfriend; a chip-shop waitress who turns into Elvis; a family of conceptual artists who truly live their art. Every story packs its share of explosive material, often with a side of magic. If Angela Carter is Readman’s fairy godmother, does that make Patti Smith her wicked stepsister? Don’t say you weren’t warned. Shortlisted for the 2016 Edge Hill Short Story Prize A girl repeatedly chops her boyfriend in half but, while her ‘other half’ multiplies, she is still not satisfied. Love transforms a mother working down the chippie – into Elvis. Clary’s father puts antlers on stuffed rabbits to make jackalopes, but when her mother walks out on them, Clary has to help her father if they are to survive. Beautiful, sharp and fearless, Costa Short Story Award winner Angela Readman’s debut collection is aptly titled, for each story packs its share of explosive material. Exposing all kinds of prejudice – against age, status, disability – the stories also offer quirky new strategies for troubled lives. If Angela Carter is Readman’s fairy godmother, then David Lynch is her wicked stepbrother. Don’t say you weren’t warned . . .