X-Book

Fatherhood, and Other Stories

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Over his acclaimed career, Cook's novels have haunted, riveted, and spellbound readers across the world, and his short stories are equally acclaimed. They range from the intensely focused world of "Fatherhood," the Herodotus prize–winning title story, to the Edgar-nominated "Rain," a dark, kaleidoscopic tale of Manhattan on a single, rain-swept night. "The Fix," the story of a famous boxing fix that was, well, not a fix at all, was selected for inclusion in Best Mystery Stories of the Year. "What She Offered," the gripping tale of a one-night stand, was included in The Best Noir Stories of the Century.

Like Cook's novels, the range of this collection is, itself, astonishing. From a backwoods Appalachian shack during the Depression ("Poor People") to a Midwestern college campus in the throes of Sixties revolt ("The Sun-Gazer") to a midtown Manhattan bookstore on Christmas Eve, "The Lessons of the Season," this collection demonstrates precisely that, in the words of Michael Connelly, "no one tells a story better than Thomas H. Cook."

Critics Review

“Thomas Cook has long been one of my favorite writers.”

Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“All of the stories are filled with
misunderstandings, misdirections, and misplaced resentments. Cook is a master
yarn spinner brimming with imagination. Probably won’t make you smile, but it
will certainly grab and hold your attention.”

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Thomas Cook writes like a wounded angel.”

Peter Straub, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Thomas Cook’s night visions, seen through a lens darkly, are haunting.”

New York Times Book Review

“Cook is one of the most suspenseful of crime-fiction writers.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer
Author Thomas H. Cook
Narrator Fred Sullivan
Duration 4 hours and 46 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781620649640
Format Audiobook
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Genre Short stories
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.