Many tales told many ways - what is the author plotting? It's a great theme but the selections ranged from the somber to the seamy. This collection is as likely to depress as to impress. Sea Oak was novel. The Caretaker was engaging. When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine was touching. Most of the rest were bad. The Father's Blessing was depraved. ( )

My favorite story was "The Life and Work of Alphonse Kauders",
it's ridicously hysterical. I also liked "The Paper Hanger" and "The Carteaker." The Paper Hanger was about a little girl who went missing while her house was being redone, over time her mother learns what really happened to her, it was suspenseful and creepy. Especially the imagery of the half finished house after a number of years with the forest and the graveyard behind it. The only reason I'm not giving this book five stars, is that The story "Two Brothers" disgusted me so much, it was all too graphic. Otherwise an excellent compilation. ( )