Richard Yates was acclaimed as one of the most powerful, compassionate and accomplished writers of America's post-war generation. Whether addressing the smothered desire of suburban housewives, the white-collar despair of Manhattan office workers or the heartbreak of a single mother with artistic pretensions, Yates ruthlessly examines the hopes and disappointments of ordinary people with empathy and humour.Contents: and tDoctor Jack-o'-Lantern - The best of everything - Jody rolled the bones - No pain whatsoever - A glutton for punishment - A wrestler with sharks - Fun with a stranger - The B.A.R. man - A really good jazz piano - Out with the old - Builders - Oh, Joseph, I'm so tired - A natural girl - Trying out for the race - Liars in love - A compassionate leave - Regards at home - Saying goodbye to Sally - The canal - A clinical romance - Bells in the morning - Evening on the Cote d'Azur - Thieves - A private possession - The comptroller and the wild wind - A last fling, like - A convalescent ego.