Short Stories. Robert works on the buses and lives in a no-bedroomed Glasgow flat with his wife and child. His job is boring, the weather is lousy, and he's becoming increasingly aware that his plans to emigrate won't come to anything. Life, as he sees it, is à very perplexing kettle of coconuts'. James Kelman's first novel is an uncompromisi- ng, humane and extremely funny portrait of a man's life.