It would be an impossibility to select a favorite or the one this reader considers to be the most splendid among Black's stories as each is a gem, its facets alive with rich details as her characters face decisions that may permanently alter their lives. The opening piece, "That Of which We Cannot Speak," introduces Bradley who reluctantly attends a New Year's Eve party where he meets a brunette with a clipboard hanging around her neck, "I can't speak, it said at the top of a sheet of paper. I have laryngitis." Amazing what can happen as notes are passed back and forth.
Black demonstrates her versatility and ability to explore the minds of young, old and in between with her second story, "The Only Way Out Is Through," sharing the thoughts of a father of a troubled son as they go on an ill-advised camping trip. In "Good In A Crisis" Ginny is a dissatisfied school teacher who well remembers her favorite teacher, "His classroom had all the elegance and electricity hers lacked." She wonders if he is still alive; if so, is he married? She decides to try and find him
The title story concerns a young couple, Hannah and Tom. As his birthday nears she wants to find the perfect present. At the same time she's a bit perturbed by letters that have begun arriving for him from a woman he met six months ago at a writing seminar in Prague. As the letters continued, "Hannah found herself resenting the postman and rethinking his holiday bonus...." But, what could she or should she do?
Alethea Black's collection of stories is very much like that proverbial box of chocolates - all are very different and each is totally delicious
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