Architect / The Crossing (Storycuts)

Two short stories: an architect encounters an emotional crisis that threatens his career; and a mother and her four young children fleeing a warzone attempt a treacherous river crossing.

The daughter of an Australian father and a German mother, Rachel Seiffert was born in Oxford and lives in London. She is the author the Booker-shortlisted novel The Dark Room and an acclaimed collection of short stories, Field Study. She was named one of Granta's 'Best of Young British' and one of 25 women writers to watch in the 'Orange Futures' promotion.

In 'Architect', an architect of rare charm and vision encounters an emotional crisis that threatens his career. When the ensuing strain starts to affect his family relationships, he must rethink his priorities. 
 
In 'The Crossing', a mother and her four young children fleeing a warzone must rely on the assistance of a strange old man as they attempt a treacherous river crossing. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, these two stories were previously published in the collection Field Study.

Dimitroff (Storycuts)

Jochen's resentment towards his father in Germany confuses his American wife.

When Jochen left his father behind in East Germany he carried his resentment with him. This lingering antipathy intrigues and confuses his American wife, Hannah. When a tentative reconciliation is broached and the family travel to Germany, she embarks upon a pilgrimage with the old man. The two wind up on a snowy corner in East Berlin where a final act of rebellion will be staged. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this story was previously published in the collection Field Study.

Dog-Leg Lane (Storycuts)

A young couple find their attempts to move to a new flat thwarted when their three year-old son rebels.

A young couple find their attempts to move to a new flat thwarted when their three year-old son rebels against the idea of leaving the only home he has ever known. It is as difficult to will a connection to dissolve as it is to force one into being. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this story was previously published in the collection Field Study.

Field Study (Storycuts)

A student abroad in a post-Commmunist country notices the people's bitterness about the empty promises of their abandoned ideology.

Martin is a graduate student spending a week undertaking scientific field study in a neighbouring, post-Communist country. He sees a residual bitterness among the town's people about the empty promises of an abandoned ideology. Will he allow this bitterness to flavour his own work? 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Field Study.

Francis John Jones, 1924- (Storycuts)

An old man recounts his wartime history.

A PhD student interviews her friend's grandfather for her thesis. While not quite meeting her eyes, he recounts his wartime history, lingering on an excursion that has never been far from his mind. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Field Study.

Reach (Storycuts)

The connections between us often have strength belying our perceptions.

Alice tacitly agrees with Kim's teachers when they hint that her daughter is not an easy child. A single mother of two, the bond with her second-born didn't present itself readily. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Field Study.

Rachel Seiffert

In 'Blue', Kenny sets about furnishing and decorating his first flat. However, his giddiness does not last long. Even as his family and friends aid him in the feathering of his nest his worries mount higher and higher, and a young pregnant girl is always on his mind. 
 
In 'Tentsmuir Sands', a family outing to the Scottish seaside yields an early lesson in mortality for the youngest member. This honest and delicate tale presents an image of family life that is both sweet and ephemeral. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, these two stories were previously published in the collection Field Study.

Rachel Seiffert

Books by Rachel Seiffert

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter