The short story has been the forte of distinguished New Zealand writers from Katherine Mansfield and Frank Sargeson through to fresh young talents such as Eleanor Catton and Craig Cliff. There could be no better guide to a sampler of their best work than Owen Marshall, who has been called New Zealand's best living writer of short stories. Marshall's indispensible collection features fifty arresting and significant stories that show why short fiction has been so important in the development of our literature, and also why it continues to appeal. First published in 2002, this new edition of the collection features five new stories from writers who excel at a magnificent national genre: perfectly polished stories peopled by perceptive, quirky and intriguing characters.