Topics about Which I Know Nothing

Scintillating, surprising, inventive fiction from one of the most talented young writers in Britain -- this is a superb collection of new short stories from the acclaimed author of The Crash of Hennington.

Have you heard the urban myth about Jesus's double-jointed elbows yet? 100% true. Or seen the latest reports on the 'groomgrabbing' trend -- the benevolent kidnapping of badly-dressed children by their well-meaning (and more dapper) elders? Heard the one about the Amazon from the Isle of Man? Or perhaps you'd like a job in telesales, offering self-defence classes over the phone? Don't worry, as long as you meet the weekly quota, you won't be sent to the end of the hall! Wonderfully original, fresh and funny, Topics About Which I Know Nothing is stuffed to the gills with dizzyingly inventive writing and warming, puzzling emotions -- a fictional guide to how the world might have turned out.

Reviews

'This collection of short stories goes off in myriad directions, each wild conceit different, each one executed with the deceptive ease of a catchy song. All of them are sprinkled with humour and zest but none are inconsequential.' Arena 'Ness's first collection brims with inventiveness and creative audacity.' Daily Telegraph

'Ness's take on the absurd and offbeat is sharp, intelligent and funny.' Time Out 'An utterly compelling account of a young man out in the world ! A truly remarkable fictional character' The Times

'Remarkable, an extraordinary, yet utterly convincing creation' The Scotsman

'Sparkling humour ! Ness has a wonderful imagination: creative, unpretentious and pleasingly bonkers.' Metro (London)

'Very, very funny ! a unique comic manifesto from a very talented newcomer.' Daily Express

Praise for THE CRASH OF HENNINGTON: 'A wholly original, hugely enjoyable first novel! Interweaving gorgeously fresh characters and a wagonload of parallel plots, this is the product of a heart-warmingly deranged new voice.' Guardian

'Patrick Ness recreates the world as we know it, infusing it with a charm and whimsy that brings to mind Calvino and, of course, the Ionesco of "Rhinoceros". This is a true changeling of a book, both funny and subversive.' T.C. Boyle

'I can't remember reading a novel in such a compulsive, leave-me-in-peace way since Tales from the City. More please!' Patrick Gale

'Menages a trois, miracles and thwarted love -- this is a very humane and entertaining tale' Observer

About the Author

Patrick Ness was brought up in Seattle, on the west coast of America, but now lives in London. His first novel, 'The Crash of Hennington' was published in 2003.