TakingPictures

ThestoriesinTakingPicturesaresnapshotsofthebodyintrouble:indenial,inextremis,inlove.Mappingthemessyconnectionsbetweenpeopleandtheirfailurestoconnectthecharactersarecapturedinthegrainytextureofreallife:freshlypalpable,sensuousanddeeplyflawed.FromDublintoVenice,fromanAmericancollegedormtoaholidaycaravaninFrance,thesearestoriesaboutwomenstirred,bothered,orfascinatedbymentheycannotunderstand,orunderstandtoowell.Enrightswomenarehauntedbychildren,andbytheghostsofthelivestheymighthaveledlitbynewflames,oldflames,andflamesthataregutteringout.Awomansonenightstandisilluminatedbydreamsofayoungboyonacliffroad,anothersisthwartedbyanswarmofsomnolentbees.ApregnantwomanisstuckinaslowliftwithatactileAmericanstranger,anakedmotherchangesanappyinahotelbedroom,andwaitsforherhusbandtocomebackfromthebar.Thesearesharp,vividstoriesoflossandyearning,ofsurrendertoresponsibilitiesortounexpecteddelight;allsharetheunsettling,dislocatedreality,thesubversivewitandawkwardtendernessthathavemarkedAnneEnrightasoneofourmostthrillinglygiftedwriters.