Tinkers by Paul Harding

Tinkers

Paul Harding

A simple, graceful take on the ordinary moments in life. Told from the viewpoint of a dying man as all around him scenes from his life and his relationship with his father come back to him. The beauty of the book is its modesty, poetic language and ability to stir memories in the reader.

Extract
Howard thought, Is it not true: A move of the head, a step to the left or right, and we change from wise, decent, loyal people to conceited fools? Light changes, our eyes blink and see the world from the slightest difference of perspective and our place in it has changed infinitely: Sun catches cheap plate flaking - I am a tinker; the moon is an egg glowing in its nest of leafless trees - I am a poet; a brochure for an asylum is one the dresser - I am an epileptic, insane; the house is behind me - I am a fugitive.
Parallels
  • Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
  • I Curse the River of Time by Per Petterson
  • Everyman by Philip Roth