Nicola Barker - Darkmans

See?

I make my own history

The Darkmans pricked up his ears. He stood to attention. He seemed intrigued, even delighted. He took a small, halting step forward.

Gaffar watched The Darkmans’ uncertain approach through bright yet slightly hooded eyes. He chucked quietly to himself, and the chuckle echoed down deep inside of him (it reverberated against the walls of that bottomless well within, that place where the women came to gossip, where the children played, where the mythical peacock loved to perch).

Then, without further ado, Gaffar smiled, extended a gracious hand, and with the legendary ease and beneficence for which his ancient tribe were duly famed, he cordially invited The Darkmans to a game. He even went so far as to promise him the first throw.

Named among Granta ’s Best British Novelists in 2003, NICOLA BARKERis the author of two award-winning short story collections, Love Your Enemies and Heading Inland . Her novels include Wide Open (winner of the IMPAC Award) and Clear (long-listed for the 2004 Booker Prize). She lives in London. Darkmans was short-listed for the 2007 Man Booker Prize.

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