A devastating fine collection of Theroux’s short fiction that should establish him among the contemporary masters of the form. — New York NewsdayWritten over a period of twenty-five years, the more than sixty stories in this volume are funny and sardonic, sensuous and evocative, streaked with terror and cruelty. Richly varied in tone and subject — ghost story, murder mystery, sexual farce, political satire, culture-clash parable — all glow with Paul Theroux’s intelligence, elegance, and ironic wit; with his marvelous sense of place; with his ear for dialogue; and with his tragicomic vision. Theroux’s canvas stretches from London to Southeast Asia, Boston to Paris, Africa to Eastern Europe, Moscow to the tropics. He portrays colonials, emigres, diplomats, students, would-be writers, academics, and children. Many are trapped in alien situations or loveless relationships, or are overwhelmed by larger cultural tremors. Full of suspense and the unexpected, this first major retrospective of Theroux’s short fiction is a welcomed second chance to read some of his best work and confirms his reputation as an irresistible storyteller Content: World’s end Zombies The imperial icehouse Yard sale Algebra The English adventure After the war Words are deeds White lies Clapham junction The odd-job man Portrait of a lady The prison diary of Jack Faust A real Russian ikon A political romance Sinning with Annie A love knot What have you done to our Leo? Memories of a curfew Biographical notes for four American poets Hayseed A deed without a name You make me mad Dog days A burial at Surabaya Polvo Low tide Jungle bells Warm dogs The consul’s file Dependent wife White Christmas Pretend I’m not here Loser wins The flower of Malaya The autumn dog Dengué Fever The South Malaysia pineapple growers’ association The butterfly of the Laruts The tennis court Reggie Woo Conspirators The Johore murders The tiger’s suit Coconut gatherer The last colonial Triad Diplomatic relations Dear William Volunteer speaker Reception Namesake An English unofficial rose Children Charlie Hogle’s earring The exile Tomb with a view The man on the Clapham omnibus Sex and its substitutes The honorary Siberian Gone west A little flame Fury Neighbors Fighting talk The Winfield wallpaper Dancing on the radio Memo.