Because they wanted to - Mary Gaitskill

'A perfectly formed set of stories about alienation in modern times . . . A subtle engagement with neurotic vulnerabilities undercuts the restraints of pebble-smooth prose and drop-dead cool. In terms of delicacy and tenderness, Gaitskill's world resembles that of F. Scott Fitzgerald . . . gloriously accomplished' Independent

'The triumph of this collection is in its acute honesty about human failure . . . Gaitskill's prose is extraordinary, illuminating the most ordinary moments with a laser beam' The Times

'Gaitskill is the poetess of wounded eroticism and, quite simply, no one can touch her' Arena

'Luminously well written . . . Gaitskill's stories are a radiant and mutant celebration of life' Sunday Times

'Mary Gaitskill charts the twists and turns of emotion and desire in fanatically analytical prose that zips along in a fever of self-consciousness that would seem loony if her observations weren't so sane . . . she has an icy eye, but there's forgiveness in her heart . . . mesmerizing - almost ecstatic' New York Times Book Review