Reviews

"Almond writes graphically, vividly, and with unflinching detail about relationships, mostly between men and women, in and out of bed. At times it's the hum of conquest in the air that drives a story, but at least as often it's something more complicated: the potential for love, for salvation, the possibility of possibility.... That he can capture such depth in a short story is a remarkable thing."

"Almond's eye for modern types is impeccably, almost academically, sharp... and yet these stories never come across as schoolwork. They're too funny, softhearted, and hopeful."

"An assured debut. Almond's unsparing viewpoint rarely makes for happy endings.... He chooses instead to capture the often brutal miscommunication between the heart and the mind."

"Twelve delightful debut stories.... love, or at least sex, everywhere in dirty brilliances."

"Almond writes graphically, vividly, and with unflinching detail about relationships, mostly between men and women, in and out of bed. At times it's the hum of conquest in the air that drives a story, but at least as often it's something more complicated: the potential for love, for salvation, the possibility of possibility.... That he can capture such depth in a short story is a remarkable thing."
"Almond's eye for modern types is impeccably, almost academically, sharp... and yet these stories never come across as schoolwork. They're too funny, softhearted, and hopeful."
"An assured debut. Almond's unsparing viewpoint rarely makes for happy endings.... He chooses instead to capture the often brutal miscommunication between the heart and the mind."
"Twelve delightful debut stories.... love, or at least sex, everywhere in dirty brilliances."