Christopher Burns

Christopher Burns is an English writer best known for his six novels and a collection of short stories. In his work, Burns has won acclaim for his thoughtful explorations of human nature and landscape.

His notable novels include The Flint Bed (1989), which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award, The Condition of Ice (1990), and A Division of the Light (2012). Burns has also published a collection of short stories, About the Body (1988), and his most recent work, Mrs Pulaska and Other Stories (2024).

In Mrs Pulaska and Other Stories, Burns presents a collection that delves into the lives of intelligent but conflicted characters who face pivotal moments that reshape their futures and redefine their pasts.

The stories are set against diverse and evocative backdrops, including a warehouse of unstable nitrate film, a desert ledge where a daughter has disappeared, and a winter barn where a mute refugee works. Each location plays a crucial role, deeply intertwined with the narrative.

Critics have praised the collection for its ambition and distinctiveness. Several of the stories have previously appeared in prestigious publications such as Les Temps Modernes and Granta Shorts. Burns' ability to create gripping narratives and explore the complexities of human emotion is evident throughout the collection.

Christopher Burns lives with his wife near the western edge of the English Lake District.