Deft and lyrical, this paperback edition of Michel Faber''s collection of stories is his first since his auspicious debut, Some Rain Must Fall . It has sealed his reputation as one of Britain''s most daring and original authors. Acclaimed for his pitch-perfect prose and brilliant characterisation, Faber is also celebrated for his mastery of contrasting styles. From achingly sad lost lives, through moments of exquisitely distilled happiness, to biblical innocence and savagery, Faber''s characters are redeemed, abandoned, beloved and laid bare. From the achingly sad lost lives of ''The Safehouse'' through moments of exquisitely distilled happiness in ''Vanilla-Bright Like Eminem'' to the biblical innocence and savagery of ''The Fahrenheit Twins'', we are redeemed, abandoned, beloved and laid bare but we are always recognisable. This is a writer at the height of his powers.