Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-eyed Stranger: New and selected stories, by Lee Smith

I happened to have this book with me on a recent visit to North Carolina, where a number of these Southern-themed stories are set. Lee Smith can set a scene and give you an immediate insight into a character’s life in just a sentence or two. It’s what is implied, not stated: “Have a happy holiday! The pretty girl in the wine shop is dressed in a red velvet elf suit, with green tights and high black boots. She carries the carton of wine to put it in the trunk, her tiny skirt hikes up to show her red panties. This is the kind of outfit Lawrence would love, damn his soul.” And we suspect that Lawrence is history, and probably a cad; the holiday is unlikely to be happy; and the abandoned wife is probably drinking too much as well. Wonderfully done. 352 pp.