The American Lover [Paperback]

Rose Tremains writing is so good, she makes us hear Englishanew.How wonderful to have a new book of Rose Tremains stories. Like her novels, they are brilliant in both their execution and their variation. I know no other fiction writer who is so smart and so wise about so many different places and people. This book contains a thrilling world of stories.In this season of outstanding story collections& this one occupies space in the top drawer& Tremains adeptness at not only drawing in page-length but also, and more important, reducing theme and plot to a smaller scale while simultaneously creating a compelling narrative tension is to be admired.Throughout, melancholy is offset by Tremains worldliness, her quick wit and the sheer joy thats to be had from characterization& Wholly enthralling, these stories gleam with human desire and malice and hope.The breadth of subjects and settings is matched by Tremains exquisite prose. Readers might just want to take a break between stories, to savor the language and the images.A collection of stylish daring, tonal mastery and smart, tough love.