Short Works Episodes Episode guide
-
![]()
The Phone Box by Javaad Alipoor
When should you run away and when should you hide in a phone box?
-
![]()
His Mother
A story about the people missing from our lives. By Wendy Erskine.
-
![]()
Kind by James Meek
His Lordship, who's known as Gerry, is broke and lacking ideas.
-
![]()
Deep Space Death Cruise
A comic monologue about a doomed space cruise. By Harry Venning, and read by Jeff Rawle.
-
![]()
Two People Shorten the Road by Rosemary Jenkinson
A Belfast taxi driver finds her life thrown into chaos when her passenger falls ill.
-
![]()
Edinburgh by Kieran Hurley
What is Edinburgh Festival to the 22-year-old who grew up there?
-
![]()
The Strandline by Lucy Wood
Alex Tregear reads a story by Lucy Wood, acclaimed author of Diving Belles.
-
![]()
Beans
By Jan Carson. A magical story about family, poverty and a bottomless can of baked beans.
-
![]()
As I Walked Out One Morning in May
Death meets the Lady in this short story by Paul Evans, inspired by a 19th-century ballad.
-
![]()
Unfinished by Robert Shearman
A man dies but, at the Pearly Gates, he's sent back to earth.
-
![]()
The Good Son by Louise O'Neill
A weekend away at a meditation retreat offers Billy a respite from caring for his father.
-
![]()
The Gleaning by Alison MacLeod
In Alison MacLeod's specially commissioned story past and present are intimately linked.
-
![]()
A Long Silence by Remi Graves
Silence takes on a new shape for Ethel in a house that is too big for her. By Remi Graves.
-
![]()
My Boy Jack
On a disastrous date, a man is haunted by the voice of his dead father. By Donal Ryan.
-
![]()
A Figure of Speech by Will Self
A man who is obsessed with digital maps is suddenly contacted from... where?
-
![]()
Lay Not Thy Hand Upon the Head by Ned Beauman
Anteaters and an algorithm as a father and son share a culling job.
-
![]()
The Authorities: A Modern Elegy by Jenn Ashworth
There's a body on a beach and the investigators are using their imagination.
-
![]()
In the Clock Tower by Nat Segnit
Five new tales to accompany this week's shortlist for the 大象传媒 National Short Story Award
-
![]()
Give Me a Buzz by Emma Healey
Art history and the art of telephoning mingle in a story about a mother and daughter.
-
![]()
Long Distance by David Szalay
A long distance lorry driver parks up overnight - but it's not the same old story.
-
![]()
Synsepalum by Irenosen Okojie
A mysterious tailor makes fantastic frocks for his clients. Read by Nikki Amuka-Bird
