At just over 100 pages, Train Dreams earns the description 'an epic in miniature'; it's also described, quite accurately in my opinion, as 'a small masterpiece'. Set in the American West early in the 20th Century, Train Dreams has the feel of a fable. It tells of the life of Robert Grainer, a labourer, and his experiences of violence, love and loneliness in sparse, beautifully honed prose. It only takes a few hours to read, but will stay with you.