This collection of short stories offers a comprehensive view of the author's narrative talent, showcasing her ability to create complex characters and situations that reflect the human condition. Set in various locations, from small Canadian towns to exotic foreign locales, each story delves into the intricate relationships, personal struggles, and quiet triumphs of its characters. The author's writing is marked by her keen observation, psychological insight, and the ability to convey the extraordinary within the ordinary, making each story a unique exploration of life's complexities.

"Runaway" is a collection of short stories that explore the depth of human relationships, the complexities of love, and the consequences of life's unpredictable turns. The stories revolve around women of varying ages and circumstances, each dealing with her own unique situation. Some are escaping from their past or present situations, while others are struggling to find their place in the world. The narratives delve into themes like betrayal, loss, and the often complicated dynamics between parents and children, and husbands and wives.

"Open Secrets: Stories" is a collection of eight short stories that delve into the complex lives of women, exploring themes of love, loss, and the secrets that bind and divide people. Set in various locations, from small-town Ontario to Australia, the stories feature characters grappling with their pasts, negotiating relationships, and confronting the mysteries of life. The narrative oscillates between past and present, revealing the profound and often unsettling truths hidden beneath the surface of ordinary lives.

"The Love of a Good Woman" is a collection of eight short stories, each delving into the complex nature of relationships, particularly focusing on women. The narratives explore various themes such as love, betrayal, death, and the often overlooked intricacies of everyday life. Set in small-town Canada, the stories are filled with characters grappling with their desires, secrets, and the unexpected turns of life, offering a profound and nuanced exploration of human behavior and emotions.

"Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" is a collection of nine short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Each story delves into the intricate web of emotions and experiences that define the human condition, including love, hate, friendship, courtship, and marriage. The characters are rendered with depth and nuance, their lives marked by moments of profound change and subtle transformation. The stories are set against the backdrop of rural and urban landscapes, offering a rich, evocative portrayal of life in all its complexities and contradictions.

"Discerner of Hearts" is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of life in Jamaica, exploring themes of identity, tradition, and transformation. The stories are set against a backdrop of rich Jamaican landscapes and culture, capturing the unique blend of societal norms and the supernatural that characterize the local folklore. Through a variety of characters, from young children to old men and women, the narratives reveal the inner workings of human hearts and the external forces that shape personal destinies. The collection highlights the profound impact of heritage and the powerful role of the unseen in everyday life.

"Across the Bridge" is a collection of short stories that delve into the lives of characters from various backgrounds, primarily focusing on the complexities of family dynamics and personal relationships. Set against the backdrop of Europe and North America, the stories explore themes of memory, identity, and displacement. The characters often grapple with their pasts and the impact of historical events on their personal lives, revealing the intricate ways in which personal and collective histories intertwine. Through precise and insightful prose, the narratives capture the subtle yet profound moments of realization and transformation in the characters' lives.

"Varieties of Exile" is a collection of short stories that delve into the lives of characters who find themselves in various forms of exile, whether geographical, emotional, or cultural. The narratives explore the complexities of displacement and the search for identity, often focusing on European émigrés in the mid-20th century. The stories are marked by sharp observation, wit, and the subtle interplay between memory and reality, as the characters navigate the challenges of adapting to new environments while grappling with the lingering ties to their pasts. Through a series of poignant and finely crafted vignettes, the book offers a nuanced examination of the human condition and the universal experience of feeling out of place.

"The Collected Stories of Mavis Gallant" is an anthology that brings together the short stories of a renowned Canadian writer, known for her sharp, insightful prose and her ability to capture the nuances of human relationships and expatriate experiences. The collection spans several decades of the 20th century, showcasing a wide range of characters, from drifting artists to isolated widows, set against European and North American backdrops. Gallant's stories delve into themes of displacement, belonging, and the complexities of cultural identity, all conveyed with her characteristic wit, empathy, and psychological depth.

"Forms of Devotion" is a collection of short stories and visual narratives that explore the complexities of human relationships and the search for spiritual meaning in everyday life. The book blends traditional narrative with innovative visual storytelling, using illustrations and typographical play to enhance and complement the text. The stories delve into themes of love, faith, and devotion, examining the ways in which individuals seek connection and fulfillment through both divine and earthly means. This unique combination of prose and visual art creates a rich, multi-layered experience that challenges the boundaries between different forms of storytelling.