‘Touching, true and shocking. Here is a book that not only makes more sense of life, it delights the mind’ Irish Times These stories find dignity in quiet lives and beauty in dark corners. They tell of allure, betrayal, nostalgia, solitude, seduction, damage and desire. They are stories of youth mislaid and love lost, and of recovery. They go to the heart of things. ‘Original and quietly devastating’ Daily Telegraph ‘Raymond Carver and Alice Munro echo throughout. Exquisite’ New Statesman ‘Brilliantly restrained and emotionally mature’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Writing sequined with sparkling descriptions’ Independent on Sunday ‘Inhaling each story is a hauntingly wonderful experience’ Easy Living ‘Reminds us that the short story is perfect for bringing some colour and imagination into a day’ Guardian