30 short stories collected together, by the author, from previous collections, anthologies, magazines and unpublished sources. This is the quintessential introduction to Sara Maitland’s fiction. Women’s lives are at the centre of the collection – but presented in a formal kaleidoscope of magical realism, ancient tales re-told and contemporary social naturalism. There are stories about Marathon runners, witches, housewives, goddesses, girl children, wicked stepmothers and contemporary feminists.  Although the themes are as varied as the characters there is a common thread that extols risk over safety, beauty over contentment.

“Sara Maitland’s wise and magical stories speak to today’s reader in a voice that is irresistible.” Anne Beattie