Learning to Swim

'Graham Swift has shown that he has an authority of style, characterization, grasp of life. These concentrated enigmatic stories address their subjects with such intelligent conviction and clarity that their ambiguities are not left to be stumbled on by the reader, but are challengingly displayed. They are like James's stories in the way they apply an almost scientific analytical cleverness to the things in life which are forever vague, painful or imponderable' Times Literary Supplement 'The ties that bind people, the good and bad things they do to each other, the happiness, embarrassment and the pain that they cause their friends, their partners, their children these are Graham Swift's chief concerns. He has a wide range; he can be delicately sensitive or outrageously funny. He is a born storyteller' Daily Telegraph 'An admirable collection. Each story has its subtle nuances of narrative and language which established a quite distinct character. A most impressive work of fiction' The Times 'He has style and he has range, and quiet strengths that are continuously and effortlessly displayed. Graham Swift should be read by everyone with an interest in the art of the short story' Evening Standard