John Saul - As Rivers Flow

The sky was gold streaks and white streaks, an expensive look, stormy. Diagonals ruled. Under the streaks came blue woodland in bar shapes, sliced up by firebreaks. Somewhere there my brother Ray lived."

As Rivers Flow

Assumin'," she adds between kisses, "you will be lookin' your best as we get outta here. I don't want us goin' someplace and you arrivin' like a flower."

Call It Tender

Father said he would put his kettle on. Shuffling to the kitchen he picked up the phone. Put it down. Came back and sat down; wondered why no water boiled."

As Rivers Flow

Miss Heidi said I could write in my diary Miss Heidi introduced me to sex, there was a broom cupboard on the third floor and we were to go there straight away and we did."

The Most Serene Republic

Your time roaming is over, no more wild praries, no lullaby in the bushes not far from Kenwood, no viola in the corner."

even the butterfly must endure the storm

a beautifully conceived collection … Elbe is a masterwork"

Short Review

'Oblivious to human exploits,' it says in the story 'Aire', 'rivers continue'. Twelve rivers, twelve stories. These waterways—eight in England, one in Portugal, one in Germany and two in France—are the backdrop to the meetings, partings, confrontations and imaginings in As Rivers Flow.

A new love stutters into life in 1930s Liverpool; an old love dies in Paris. While a sense of menace enters the remote countryside in 'Butley', a death overshadows a gathering of people in 'Kennet'. In 'Elbe' four diversely connected people focus on a mighty container vessel turning in the river. Beside the Stour a tale of young people's solidarity unfolds.

As Rivers Flow was longlisted for the 2009 Frank O'Connor short story award.

As Rivers Flow is published by Salt Publishing
www.saltpublishing.com