In prose that sparkles with wit, shocks with insight, and beguiles with the air of legend, these seven stories take the reader from post-apocalyptic Tasmania to the tragedy of surrogate pregnancy in the 1950s. Loss of species, the whims of publishers, the question of Islam in regional Australia - these are among the subjects Carmel Bird addresses in her characteristic probing style.

Carmel Bird's stories are dark, intriguing and yet always delightful.

–ANDY GRIFFITHS

As you'd expect, Bird's beautiful stories soar, though never into a realm you could anticipate.

–DEBRA ADELAIDE

Hands down, Carmel Bird is to my mind the best living short story writer in the country.

–MATTHEW CONDON