It was fascinating to read this set of stories, all of which pull from traditions, cultures and experiences quite different from my own. There were times that I felt I was missing too many allusions to fully grasp Shawl's meanings and resonances, but the stories were still gripping and beautifully crafted. I was especially pleased to read "Wallamelon," which draws on the mythology of The Blue Lady that I first read about in this 1997 article and have thought would make fascinating background for a story.