D K Powell

The Old Man on the Beach and Other Stories D K Powell

Twenty-two short fiction stories and semi-fictional essays which individually stand alone but together takes the reader on an imaginary journey from childhood in 1980s Britain to adulthood as a teacher, to life in Bangladesh and finally to old age (and beyond) in contemporary Britain. Separate characters, narrators and scenarios present different fictional ideas yet hidden within each is a kernel of truth, deliberately masked, about the author behind them all. Here we meet schoolboys hiding from witches, terrified teachers, dangerous school Heads, magical instruments, mysterious prisons and (extra)ordinary women - yet everything has some basis in reality. The stories explore difficult themes such as childhood innocence, abuse, sex, love, religion and death. Some stories and essays connect together to form a chronological thread while others contradict each other or imagine alternative lives. All of them are intended to amuse or challenge the reader's understanding of life and, if they take the time to look closely, to reveal pencil marks hidden behind the paint. Contains some strong language and adult content.