Libby Sommer's sensitively drawn characters live and breathe within the echoes of the everyday. Stories from Bondi centre on women - their joys, doubts, loves and realisations. The foibles of human nature, with all their pathos and humour, are laid bare for the reader. 'From the opening story "Art and the Mermaid" to a moving piece set in a health retreat that closes the collection, these stories beautifully capture the intimacies of women. Like My Year With Sammy and The Crystal Ballroom, this is classic Sommer.' - Susanne Gervay OAM, author '…wonderful voice and poetic language…' - Dr Anne Jamison, Writing and Society, Western Sydney University 'The strength of Libby Sommer's work is its engagement with the contemporary mores and sexual manners of urban Australian life.' - Amanda Lohrey, Patrick White award winner