Parks is the author of several works of fiction (notably Europa, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1997) and non-fiction. His first novel, Tongues of Flame, won a Betty Trask Award in 1986.
Since relocating to Verona, Parks has taught Literary Translation and Technical Translation at the Independent University of Modern Languages in nearby Milan.
His own translations include works by Alberto Moravia, Antonio Tabucchi, Italo Calvino and Roberto Calasso.
Family Planning, 1989. The trials and tribulations of a mother, father and their children as they cope with the unexpected and sometimes violent behaviour of Raymond, who is suffering from a mental illness but will not agree to professional help.
Cara Massimina, 1990, a murder story published under the pseudonym "John MacDowell"
Goodness, 1991.
Shear, 1993.
Mimi's Ghost, 1995, sequel of Cara Massimina and likewise published under the pseudonym "John MacDowell"
Europa, 1997. A group of professors from Milan go to the European Parliament to protest at their working conditions and the protagonist finds his ex-girlfriend aboard the bus.
Destiny, 1999.
Judge Savage, 2003.
Rapids, 2005.
Talking About It, 2005. A collection of short stories.
Cleaver, 2006.
Dreams of Rivers and Seas, 2008.
Non-fiction
Italian Neighbours, 1992. Relates how the author and his wife came to a small town near Verona and how they integrate and become accustomed to the unusual habits of their newfound neighbours.
An Italian Education, 1996. Follow up to "Italian Neighbours" and recounts the milestones in the life of the author's children as they progress through the Italian school system.
Translating Style, 1997.
Adultery & Other Diversions, 1999.
Hell and Back: Reflections on Writers and Writing from Dante to Rushdie, 2001.
A Season With Verona, following the fortunes of Hellas Verona F.C. in season 2000-2001.
Medici money : banking, metaphysics, and art in fifteenth-century Florence, 2005.
Translations of Italian works
Alberto Moravia, Erotic Tales, Secker & Warburg, 1985. Original title La cosa.
Alberto Moravia, The Voyeur, Secker & Warburg, 1986. Original title L'uomo che guarda.
Antonio Tabucchi, Indian Nocturne, Chatto & Windus, 1988. Original title Notturno indiano.
Alberto Moravia, Journey to Rome, Secker & Warburg, 1989. Original title Viaggio a Roma.
Antonio Tabucchi, Vanishing Point, Chatto & Windus, 1989. Original title Il filo dell'orizzonte.
Antonio Tabucchi, The Woman of Porto Pim, Chatto & Windus, 1989. Original title La donna di Porto Pim.
Antonio Tabucchi, The Flying Creatures of Fra Angelico, Chatto & Windus, 1989. Original title I volatili del Beato Angelico.
Fleur Jaeggy, Sweet Days of Discipline, Heinemann, 1991. Original title I beati anni del castigo. The translation won the John Florio Prize.
Giuliana Tedeschi, A place on Earth... A Woman in Birkenau, Pantheon Books, 1992. Original title C'è un punto della terra.
Roberto Calasso, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony, Knopf, 1993. Original title Le nozze di Cadmo e Armonia. The translation won the Italo Calvino Prize.
Italo Calvino, The Road to San Giovanni, Pantheon Books, 1993. Original title La strada di San Giovanni. The translation won the John Florio Prize.
Italo Calvino, Numbers in the Dark, Pantheon Books, 1995. Original title Prima che tu dica pronto.
Fleur Jaeggy, Last Vanities, New Directions, 1998. Original title La paura del cielo.
Roberto Calasso, Ka, New York: Knopf, 1998. Original title Ka.
Roberto Calasso, Literature and the Gods, New York: Knopf, 2000. Original title La letteratura e gli dei.
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, Penguin Classics, 2009.
