These remarkable and surprising stories capture common people caught up in the everyday business of living and the struggle to survive. From a young girl who is gifted to a middle-class family for Christmas to a homeless deaf man unexpectedly faced with the miracle of a new life, Birch's stories are set in gritty urban refuges and battling regional communities. His deftly drawn characters find unexpected signs of hope in a world where beauty can be found on every street corner – a message on a T-shirt, a friend in a stray dog or a star in the night sky. Common People shines a light on human nature and how the ordinary kindness of strangers can have extraordinary results. With characteristic insight and restraint, Tony Birch reinforces his reputation as a master storyteller. Stories include: "The Ghost Train", "Harmless", "Colours", "Joe Roberts", "The White Girl", "Party Lights", "Paper Moon", "Painted Glass", "Frank Slim", "Liam", "Raven and Sons", "The Good Howard", "Sissy", "Death Star", "Worship".