“Varieties of Exile” by Mavis Gallant
I just finished reading this book of short stories. I was so very impressed. Mesmerized even. The introduction is by Russell Banks, who is a favorite of mine. Gallant’s writing is absolutely beautiful. Each piece is a character studies, each story somewhat linked to the previous one.
...”Wonderfully wise and funny investigations into the difficulties of growing up and breaking free.” Most are set in Montreal moving in time from WWI to the present.

Is anyone else a fan of her writing?
I first heard one of her stories read on the New Yorker Fiction pod cast. They have writers who have been published in the New Yorker, select a favorite short story from the New Yorker arcives, read it then discuss it. It has been a great source for new Authors.
I picked up “Paris Stories”, another collection by Mavis Gallant. This one had the intro written by Michael Ondatje.

The more I read about her on line, the more intrigued I become.
www.mavisgallant.com/