I first read this in about 2005 as a library book, before I'd ever thought about being a writer myself, and I absolutely loved it. It was one of those books that made me want to see if I could write (not sure that I'll ever achieve this though). Since then I've often looked for it bookshops but never found it, and then a month or so ago I decided to order it from my local indie bookshop, and although I have two other books on the go, I had to start it as soon as it arrived. And I still love it just as much. Each story is perfect in their own way: the writing, the plots, where they end, the characters. All of them... well okay, I still have my standout favourites: Pilgrims, and The Isabel Fish, but there really isn't a duff story in the whole collection.

Highly recommended.