This collection of short stories explodes with energy, displaying an incredibly rich variety of style and voice and an astonishing range of characters. Loosely centered around lesbian relationships, psychologocial and sexual, and the broader theme of female sensuality and sexuality, each story proves illuminating and thought-provoking in its own way. Some stories contain unexpected surprises; others are heart-wrenching in their emotional authenticity. Although the editors have cast a wide net with respect to the multifaceted voices represented here, the unifying characteristic is the overall high quality of prose throughout. Simply stated, this book showcases some of the most interesting and well-written short fiction on the market. "Tokyo Trains" and "Cleo's Back" are two stories that stayed with me long after I put the book away, and the rich, luscious prose of Amelia de la Luz Montes is sweetly haunting. A pleasure to read, this book also challenges conventional attitudes about women's social and psychological experiences while celebrating highly individual ways of being female in the world.
