Humorous, poignant, perceptive, and full of grace, Kathleen Collins's stories masterfully blend the quotidian and the profound in a personal, intimate way, exploring deep, far-reaching issues--race, gender, family, and sexuality--that shape the ordinary moments in our lives. In 'The Uncle,' a young girl who idolizes her handsome uncle and his beautiful wife makes a haunting discovery about their lives. In 'Only Once,' a woman reminisces about her charming daredevil of a lover and his ultimate--and final--act of foolishness. Collins's work seamlessly integrates the African-American experience in her characters' lives, creating rich, devastatingly familiar, full-bodied men, women, and children who transcend the symbolic, penetrating both the reader's head and heart."--From publisher's description.

A never-before-published collection of stories from Kathleen Collins.

These short stories, discovered only recently, highlight Collins's masterfully blend of the personal issues-- race, gender, family, and sexuality-- with the ordinary moments that shape our lives. Also known as an artist and filmmaker, her stories create full-bodied men, women, and children who justify their lives while integrating the African American experience without becoming symbols or token images.