I was delighted to find this 2011 Advance Reading Copy on the table for such volumes at one of my favorite bookstores today. I look forward to reading it.


Amazon Editorial Review

Margaret Drabble’s novels have illuminated the past fifty years, especially the changing lives of women, like no others. Yet her short fiction has its own unique brilliance. Her penetrating evocations of character and place, her wide-ranging curiosity, her sense of irony—all are on display here, in stories that explore marriage, female friendships, the English tourist abroad, love affairs with houses, peace demonstrations, gin and tonics, cultural TV programs; in stories that are perceptive, sharp, and funny. An introduction by the Spanish academic José Fernández places the stories in the context of her life and her novels. This collection is a wonderful recapitulation of a masterly career.

This is another book that I've hoarded for too long. Based on the first three stories, I'm giving it a 9. Drabble is a master of creating character and setting. Last night I read the story that was meant for me to read here, "Voyage to Cythera!" It's got a compelling Christmas setting and a character conflict that I've experienced. Perhaps I will read the remaining stories. I think I need to get a copy eventually for my permanent bookshelf.

This is the SpringHill Suites Marriott. The bar here is called The Library and books are stacked on a table in the lobby so I have decided to leave this gift from BookCrossing, a random community of book lovers, here. If you'd like to join the BookCrossing story of this book, please make a journal entry at our site with the BCID (bookcrossing ID) on the bookplate. BookCrossing is free to join and confidential. You don't have to join to comment. Add your experience to this book.