An extraordinary new collection of short stories from the author of Dzelarhons and A Whole Brass Band . Here is an assortment of lovers, husbands and wives, children and parents, friends; and of strong Nan, whose frog causes consternation and chaos; Daleth who defies a fundamentalist sect, only to discover that it's hard to outrun the grasping wrath of fanatics; Emma, the Pie-Faced Church; and Blackie, whose dowsing skills find happiness as well as water. With all the magic of Stubby, the compassion of Dzelarhons , and the clear-sighted realism and wry humour her readers have come to love, these are stories to enchant, move, disturb, and provoke. The wish for a perfect world is in perpetual conflict with things as they are-and as they shouldn't be. SEVEN SHORT STORIES BY ANNE NAN must choose between an oversized amphibian and a normal life. LOUELLA seeks fame fortune as a night-club pianist. DAVE has his work cut out for him domesticating Louella. EMMA decides one day to leave her job and start her own church. And a GOOLIEGUY (did'ja ever hear of one?) brings new meaning to a lonely woman's life.