'The book sparkles with apt descriptions' Penny Perrick, Sunday Times
'This magnificent anthology chronicles the development of a rich literary tradition from early folktales to Joyce and the new generation' Books
'the stories in this Oxford anthology are thoroughly and well selected; and from them we can learn a great deal about Ireland's pungent but stifling social atmosphere' The Independent
'Trevor, himself a writer of note, has chosen some of the finest examples of the art form ranging from early folk tales ... It is a little taste of Ireland that leaves you hungry for more.' Maurice Neill, Sunday News
'it is the supreme merit of this splendid anthology that almost all readers will want to draw more from the wells from which William Trevor's draughts surely make him the Irish Ganymede.' Owen Dudley Edwards, The Scotsman
'entertaining collection from the Emerald Isle ... most have been put together by some of the finest writers of the English language' Evening Advertiser (Swindon)
'Trevor has put together an all-embracing volume with some beguiling choices ... This is a rich volume, a splendid bedside-dipper, and handsomely produced.' Alun Richards, Wales on Sunday
'the stories in this Oxford anthology are thoroughly and well selected; and from them we can learn a great deal about Ireland's pungent but stifling atmosphere.' Patricia Craig, Independent
'The publishers have crammed so much into this nicely- bound 563pp volume that you have to work at keeping the pages open but is still a book with the promise of days of enjoyment.' The Phoenix
'a distinguished collection ... Oxford's thoughtful and elegant anthology' Flatlander
'thoughtful selection' Magazine for London Living
'All this diversity is held together by a common trait, an irresistible claim on attention, the written equivalent of a tug at the lapel or a hand on the shoulder. This book can be picked up and put down many times, but hardly ever in the middle of a story.' Time Magazine, Australia
'satisfyingly bulky volume' Oxford Times
'an extremely handsome book ... this is a volume within whose pages there is a pleasurable peace of much tranquillising power' J.P. Donleavy, Daily Telegraph
'The result is a wonderful book.' Hugh Bredin, Irish News
'an extremely handsome book ... much credit must go to William Trevor for his careful and classic collection which focuses attention on the sometimes painful drama that is wrought from the basic simplicity of Irish life. Altogether, this is a volume within whose pages there is a pleasurable peace of much tranquillising power. Don't be surprised, as it knocks hell out of those anxieties which keep you from sleep, if next morning you reach again to open up its pages.' J.P. Donleavy, Telegraph
'outstanding collection compiled by one of the great contemporary Irish masters' Booklist
'This marvelous anthology, one of the best of recent years, contains a whopping 46 stories.' Chicago Sun-Times
'a delightful collection' Oxford Times
'a thoughtful selection' Magazine
'The stories have a pleasing continuity despite their broad timespan' Alan Taylor, Glasgow Herald
'dazzlingly rich and absorbing selection' Hermione Lee, Observer
'marvellous new collection ... This collection should stand as a classic, bringing together a wide, rich, and catholic selection of Irish short stories' Mary Kenny, Catholic Herald
'William Trevor has put together a lovely cross-section of the human emotions and, though the settings are Irish, the appeal is universal. Well done Oxford University Press and William Trevor. This great river of a book will, I am sure, run and run and run.' Features & Arts, World Service in English Book Talks
'this hardback publication is a wonderful anthology of works which illustrate the unique tradition of Ireland's story tellers ... a book which can be picked up for a five minutes read of a single short tale, while others in the selection take longer to achieve their effect ... But throughout, you will find stories whose entertainment stems from that traditional Irish ability to reflect the rich tapestry of life with subtlety, warmth and humour.' Ethel Clark, Windsor & East Berks Observer
'This splendidly produced volume is full of good yarns' Borehamwood & Radlett Advertiser
'This marvelous anthology, one of the best of recent years, contains a whopping 46 stories. They tell their brutalized country's sad stories with such force and fascination that we cannot hear too many of them.' Bruce Allen, Chicago Sun-Times
'a wealth of good reading' Sunday Mail, Australia
'This is an indispensable guide to the very best Irish fiction. Superb.' Yorkshire Post
