Review by Booklist Review
After six novels and a memoir, Weber presents a scintillating collection of short stories and a novella that encompass pathos and hilarity and range from breathtakingly succinct yet richly faceted tales, like the diamonds that figure in several unexpectedly connected stories, to longer works iridescent with tangible and psychological detail. The opening story establishes Weber's gift for entering the minds of children as two older girls perilously escalate their tormenting of one's younger sister. The closing and titular tale is a plunge into young imaginations colliding with adult delusions during one strained summer as new friends Jane and Tate sneak into their neighbors' homes. In between are crisply paced, breathtakingly nuanced, and delectably witty stories of romance, marriage fatigue, family dysfunction, an aging beauty's revenge on her caretaker, a washed-up director on a low-budge shoot in Ireland, a hilarious makeover for a pet-grooming shop, a daring night visit to the under-construction World Trade Center, and bravura historical tales about a Jewish Hungarian family in the Third Reich. Together Weber's stunning stories form a radiant spectrum of personalities and predicaments, emotions and audacity.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Weber (Still Life with Monkey) delivers an insightful collection that finds characters in moments of transition as they act on their impulses. "Mr. Antler's Princess Dust" chronicles the summer romps of fourth-grader Barbara Antler and friend Harriet Rose as they sell potentially poisonous mushrooms to neighbors and make special concoctions for Barbara's little sister. In "Sleeping," Harriet babysits for an infant whose mother forbids her to check on the child. "Sunday, Upstate" is a short but heartbreaking story about a wife and mother of four's quiet contemplations during a family trip gone sour. A young girl repeatedly rides a roller coaster, hypnotized by the bright red button that controls it, and makes a life-altering decision in "Safe." The title novella, which goes on a bit too long but offers some of the best writing, depicts Jane, an only child whose single mother works late, befriending Tate. Jane soon invites Tate into her misadventures, and the pair break into neighbors' houses to steal small tokens like seashells and Monopoly houses, and to search for the essence of family that Jane craves. In elegant prose, Weber offers intimate views on her characters' inner lives. At its best, this offers an ode to the universality of change. (Mar.)
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Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
