The critically acclaimed Berriault, whose works include The Son and Women in Their Beds, a story collection, gained wider popularity after winning a number of awards in 1997 (just two years before her death). This anthology, which includes short stories, essays, speeches, and a novel fragment, offers a great introduction to this remarkable writer's work. Of the five short stories (whose protagonists range from a flea who swallows its host to a diplomat who sees griffins), the most compelling is "The Tea Ceremony," the story of lost souls seeking to save themselves through their pursuit of beauty. The novel fragment, "The Flood Again," relates a young woman's initial encounters with her mysterious older lover. These selections give the reader a feeling for Berriault's rich, interior prose, which allows her subjects to speak in their own voices without being needlessly wordy. The essays, many from the Sixties, are patient and thoughtful. Finally, Richard Yates's "The Achievement of Gina Berriault" gives an excellent analysis of her work. Coming at the end of the book rather than the beginning, this piece is informative rather than directive. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.-Felicity D. Walsh, Atlanta Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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