This is a very good collection. Most stories we readers read, whether they are short fiction or full-length novels, share a common conceit in that almost every protagonist needs an antagonist. This is a standard trope that many writers use in order to create tension. While we do find several adversaries in this collection, quite a few of these tales explore their themes without the need for a clearcut "bad guy". I found it interesting that Tiedemann manages to create tension for his characters from the moral ambiguities that confront them. From the choices they must make, or the difficult lessons they must learn, (and the regrets they must then confront), when they fail to recognize that a poor choice has already been made. Or the satisfaction earned when a good path is decided upon.

If you have never read Mark Tiedemann before, this collection will serve as an excellent introduction to his style of writing. However, most of his novels I have read prior to this book have been in the realm of science fiction. While SF does show up in a couple of places, these short stories transcend genre and go straight to the heart of the matter. As the blurb on the back says, "Each story is a journey down strange roads to unexpected places. The territory seems familiar, but the scenery has changed making it possible to consider lives and loves in a whole new light." I don't think I can say it any better than that. ( )