An astonishing variety of voices-male, female, young old-narrate the 20 diverse stories in this, Lauren B. Davis's first collection, though which alcohol flows like an unholy river of destruction and despair. In locales such as Halifax, Spain and rural Ontario, thanks to Davis's clear focus this sharp, exploratory mix goes beyond the margins of kitchen sink realism. Recognized as the work of an important new writer, this is where Lauren B. Davis's career began. The Globe and Mail called it audacious and extraordinary - an amalgam of deep intuitive perception, sly wit and candor that could strip paint.