About the book
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
In these nine virtuoso stories, Helen Simpson turns her wickedly wry wit to the stations of life, the vulnerabilities of age, and the lives of ordinary people in complicated times. The title story follows two old friends as they ride the London Underground to Cockfosters—the end of the line—to retrieve a pair of newly prescribed bifocals. “Erewhon” depicts a reversal of gender roles as a man lies awake in bed fretting about his body shape, his dissatisfaction with sex, his children, and his role in his marriage. And in “Berlin,” a fiftysomething couple embarks on a “Ring Cycle package” trip to Germany, recalling the ups and downs of their life together as they make their way through Wagner’s epic. Funny, warmhearted, and deeply insightful, these tales brilliantly balance devastation and optimism as only Helen Simpson can.
Editions of Cockfosters
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781910702208
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780451493071
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780525563624
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781784701987
- EBook
- ISBN 9780451493088
Read an Excerpt
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
In these nine virtuoso stories, Helen Simpson turns her wickedly wry wit to the stations of life, the vulnerabilities of age, and the lives of ordinary people in complicated times. The title story follows two old friends as they ride the London Underground to Cockfosters—the end of the line—to retrieve a pair of newly prescribed bifocals. “Erewhon” depicts a reversal of gender roles as a man lies awake in bed fretting about his body shape, his dissatisfaction with sex, his children, and his role in his marriage. And in “Berlin,” a fiftysomething couple embarks on a “Ring Cycle package” trip to Germany, recalling the ups and downs of their life together as they make their way through Wagner’s epic. Funny, warmhearted, and deeply insightful, these tales brilliantly balance devastation and optimism as only Helen Simpson can.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cockfosters about?
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
In these nine virtuoso stories, Helen Simpson turns her wickedly wry wit to the stations of life, the vulnerabilities of age, and the lives of ordinary people in complicated times. The title story follows two old friends as they ride the London Underground to Cockfosters—the end of the line—to retrieve a pair of newly prescribed bifocals. “Erewhon” depicts a reversal of gender roles as a man lies awake in bed fretting about his body shape, his dissatisfaction with sex, his children, and his role in his marriage. And in “Berlin,” a fiftysomething couple embarks on a “Ring Cycle package” trip to Germany, recalling the ups and downs of their life together as they make their way through Wagner’s epic. Funny, warmhearted, and deeply insightful, these tales brilliantly balance devastation and optimism as only Helen Simpson can.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cockfosters?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Cockfosters?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781910702208
Is Cockfosters part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vintage Contemporaries
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cockfosters?
Helen Simpson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cockfosters is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781910702208) and hardcover(ISBN 9780451493071) and paperback(ISBN 9780525563624) and paperback(ISBN 9781784701987) and ebook(ISBN 9780451493088)
Where can I buy Cockfosters online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cockfosters from below
Where can I buy Cockfosters?