This is a marvelous collection of short stories. I read the first story and thought, "Well, this is probably going to be my favorite of the lot." Then, I read the third story and thought, "No, this is the one. It's perfect." And so on, and so on.

Mary Ladd Gavell was born in Cuero, Texas and she died at the age of 47 in 1967 - the year I was born. Mrs. Gavell's stories capture the voices of the women I've known so much better than some of the newer "Southern fiction" I've read lately.

I feel sure this will be my next book club selection, and I think I'm going to want to go back and reread some of these stories regularly. Please, buy a copy of your own. I promise you'll enjoy it.

This is a marvelous collection of short stories. I read the first story and thought, "Well, this is probably going to be my favorite of the lot." Then, I read the third story and thought, "No, this is the one. It's perfect." And so on, and so on.

Mary Ladd Gavell was born in Cuero, Texas and she died at the age of 47 in 1967 - the year I was born. Mrs. Gavell's stories capture the voices of the women I've known so much better than some of the newer "Southern fiction" I've read lately.

I feel sure this book is going to be my next book club selection, and I think I'm going to want to go back and reread some of these stories regularly. Please, buy a copy of your own. I promise you'll enjoy it.

"I Cannot Tell A Lie, Exactly", is a wonderful group of short stories by a writer that did not live to see them published, nor the enjoyment her words would bring to readers. And these stories are excellent not because of the unusual path they took to publication, rather because they are extremely well written. The book is also bracketed by touching tributes by her children.

The book contains 16 stories including, "Rotifer", which when published alone was selected as one of The Best American Short Stories Of 1967, and then was honored by its inclusion in The Best American Short Stories Of The Century. And this was a story that was originally published as a tribute to the writer in a non-literary journal, which makes this book's journey all the more interesting.

Virtually all of these tales describe situations that any member of a family will find familiar. Had they been written and published earlier, they would in many instances have been classic stories for the likes of The Saturday Evening Post together with the well-known covers of Norman Rockwell. This is not to say that all her stories are as idealized as many people feel Rockwell's paintings were. Just as he portrayed some of the darker sides of human nature, Mary Gavell touches on nerves that are either raw, or have the probability of developing painfully.

Two of my favorites are, "The Swing", and the story that is also the title of this book. It is a rewarding experience to read these stories that so nearly were lost. That this is the only collection takes nothing away from the work, and for those who take the time to read this lady's words, they will be well rewarded.

Thisa may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who cherish good writing, with keen insight, humor, imagination and human wisdom, this is indeed a gem. It is a book to own, to let one's children read. The art of the short story may be dying; one hopes not...but these are wonderful examples which rate with the best. It is not for people looking for thrillers, or suspense, or horror. It is about life.

This sly well written book was a forgotten gem until it was recently reprinted. The stories are crafted and their plots make you wonder what next? They show a way of life that maybe doesn't exist anymore.