The Collected Stories

Richard Yates was acclaimed as one of the most powerful, compassionate and accomplished writers of America's post-war generation. Whether addressing the smothered desire of suburban housewives, the white-collar despair of Manhattan office workers or the heartbreak of a single mother with artistic pretensions, Yates ruthlessly examines the hopes and disappointments of ordinary people with empathy and humour. Contents: Doctor Jack-o'-Lantern -- The best of everything -- Jody rolled the bones -- No pain whatsoever -- A glutton for punishment -- A wrestler with sharks -- Fun with a stranger -- The B.A.R. man -- A really good jazz piano -- Out with the old -- Builders -- Oh, Joseph, I'm so tired -- A natural girl -- Trying out for the race -- Liars in love -- A compassionate leave -- Regards at home -- Saying goodbye to Sally -- The canal -- A clinical romance -- Bells in the morning -- Evening on the Cote d'Azur -- Thieves -- A private possession -- The comptroller and the wild wind -- A last fling, like -- A convalescent ego.