Mary Ward Brown's second collection of stories is a terrific read. These 11 stories (ten set in Alabama, one in Russia) are heartwarming, thought provoking, and very human (not to mention well written). They run the emotional gamut that can cover a lifetime and in each there's a sense that something more important than life itself is at stake (often this reminder comes in the form of death or thoughts about mortality).

The stories in this collection take up 142 pages (the longest is only 18 pages long) and for the most part stand alone (as opposed to being fragments of longer stories). These are essentially Southern stories told by a great Southern writer and there's not a dud in the mix.

"It Wasn't All Dancing" examines the relationship between an aged Southerner and her black nurse. As with many of the stories in this collection, the relationship (and its impact on the main characters) is the focus.

"Once in a Lifetime" is a love story on several levels--a mother's love for her young-adult daughter and her newly found love for the former high school hot shot.

"A New Life" is perhaps the weakest story in the batch and centers on an encounter between a recently widowed woman and a group of well-intentioned Christians who become interested in her fate.

"No Sound in the Night" is a moving story about a learning disabled adult-child and his love for his hardworking female boss.

"The Birthday Cake" is another story about deep friendships, love, choices, and consequences.

"Swing Low: A Memoir", perhaps the best story in this collection, is a moving account of the deep friendship that develops between an aged wealthy woman and one of her family's hired hands.

"Alone in a Foreign Country" is a brief tale about a young woman's overnight adventure/scare in a foreign country.

"The House the Asa Built" recounts how a strong marriage can have problems and how the husband and wife in this short story deal with them.

"The Parlor Tumblers" is about a grandfather's difficulty in getting reacquainted with his grandson after three years apart. It's also about the grandfather's regrets and his relationship with his son. And some pretty cool pigeons.

"A Good Heart" details the relationship between two neighbors from different social stratas and the effect of their tentative friendship on each.

Lastly, "A Meeting on the Road" provides a very short glimpse into what it would be like to be a minority in a small town--from both the black and white perspectives.

All of these stories are concise and each allows for some personal reflection upon completion. They're short stories, but they stick with you. This is a terrific collection of stories. Very Highly Recommended.

I just heard Miss Brown give a reading from this volume, and I must say it was a very well-told story. I heard her described as the "First Lady of Alabama Letters" and I think we're doing well if that is the case.