'Avril Smith has written short stories since she was a child, and her love for and skill in the craft is evident in this collection. Her stories portray the human condition, with its potential for comedy, tragedy and the occasional foray into the macabre. They reflect the author’s own journey through life and her keen observations of humankind, told with compassion for her fellow travellers, who range from the very young to those grappling with loneliness, mental illness, changed circumstances and the often surprising challenges that old age brings. With wry humour and empathy, her stories embrace the gamut of life and leave us with the belief that love can not only compensate for our fallibilities, it can give us a sense of our place in the Universe. ' (Publication summary)
