“Skillfully introduced and selected by Lauren Groff, this excellent collection of 25 short stories by Hale reintroduces an overlooked master of the genre. Hale explores the borderland between inner truth and outer obligation, otherness and conformity, what remains and what is lost, what humans want to be and what is actually within their power to do. . . . Extensively published in The New Yorker and the winner of 10 O. Henry Awards, Hale’s insightful, artfully constructed stories remain irresistible—and relevant—today.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Esteemed in her lifetime but largely forgotten today, short story master Hale (1908–1988 ) gets a welcome reintroduction in this collection of 25 astute, finely wrought tales. . . . Classic examples of the art of short fiction, capturing the variety of human experience with sophisticated economy.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)