The Turning (stories)

"The Turning" is a collection of short stories by acclaimed Australian author Tim Winton. It was published in April 2005 by Picador. Many of the 17 short stories included interweave in their respective narratives, creating an intriguing and twisting central plot-line that generally centers around protagonist Vic Lang. Several recurring themes characterise the book, including sentimentality, regret, companionship and drugs. The collection was adapted into a play, "The Turning", for the 2008 Perth International Arts Festival.

Tim Winton emphasised the widespread influence of his adolescent life on his writing, referring to a childhood fascination with guns and his time spent in the cadets in a 2004 interview with Andrew Denton. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1227915.htm Transcript of interview on 'Enough Rope with Andrew Denton', 25 October 2004.] ]

The stories are:
1 Big World
2 Abbreviation
3 Aquifer
4 Damaged Goods
5 Small Mercies
6 On Her Knees
7 Cockleshell
8 The Turning
9 Sand
10 Family
11 Long, Clear View
12 Reunion
13 Commission
14 Fog
15 Boner McPharlin's Moll
16 Immunity
17 Defender

Winton writes in an extremely blunt yet sophisticated way. He is an avid user of visual and sensory imagery which involves the audience with each and every short story. Without exception, all the stories end in a prophetic manner, often with an ambiguous, haunting tone.

References