As good a collection of short fiction you will ever read, without a doubt. Her stories often hurt you in that very good way, the way you want fiction to make you feel. Her humor perfectly balances and makes possible the heartache, the subtle tragedies she writes about. This collection is one of those books that you simply must read. You will learn from the experience, and you'll never forget.

This is one of the best books I've ever read, clearly Berlin's best work to date. She writes about cleaning ladies, jockeys, switchboard operators and alcoholics--all with the sensitivity of someone who knows these people from the inside, yet makes no excuses for them. This is no PC attempt at ennobeling them, it's the real thing: fascinating people scrubbing your floors, who possess beauty, insight, charm and plenty of flaws. Real flaws. Real people. Berlin's writing is luscious and poetic, but her real gift is her uncanny ablility to see right through people, communicate what is noteworthy and illuminating in their lives. After 5 years I've read most of these stories, but still haven't quite finished, because I've found myself rationing them. I've read my favorites over and over, but can't bear the thought of having no one left to discover in her world. Apparently her next book is due very soon. Can't wait, it's been so long.

Lucia Berlin was one of my favorite teachers in college. After taking her creative writing class, I read all of her books. But this one is so beautiful, so candid. Her short stories are flawless and flow into the next. Her descriptions of people and places are right on, although not always lovely. It will leave you with eyes open to the world.

Lucia Berlin's prose sneaks up on you and, with spare simple language, bowls you over. As with her two earlier collections from Black Sparrow, Berlin fills these stories with sad, yet inspiring characters living on or near the fringe of society. We get to see the lives of teachers and nurses, people we usually view only in the context of their work, up close and in alarming detail. Berlin is a joy to read.

As in her other collections, Berlin writes to-the-bone truths in language so simple and clear you won't know what hit you. "Where I Live Now" is as deep and honest as an old scar; it will tempt you to keep sneaking glances at its lumpy form, imagining the pain that put it there - and the impossible healing of which we are all capable.

Lucia Berlin is one of the most underappreciated short story writers and her latest collection is full of arresting portraits of women and their families in the contemporary American West.