The Bus of Dreams

Mary Morris. Penguin Books, $7.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-14-008971-4

These short stories are linked by a common tone that is understated, knowing, wistful, but not always without hope. In the briefest and best story, ""BurningIssues,'' a recently widowed woman remembers the moment when Mars came close to the Earth, which happened at the same time she felt closest to herhusband. PW recommended this collection's ``fine writing and emotional resonance.'' (September)

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