Fiction. "A fine collection of 19.stories by 12.South American women. All the stories are linked.by the common theme of cruelty, and embattled womanhood is indeed given pride of place. But there's a refreshing range shown by portrayals of variously disturbed and endangered adolescence (Gilda Holst Molestina's 'The Competition,' Gloria Artigas's 'Corners of Smoke') and political injustice (Nayla Chehade Duran's excellent 'The Vigil'). Surrealism and black comedy are strikingly present, in Ines Fernandez Moreno's deadpan 'A mother to be assembled,' and especially in the volume's standout story: Ana Maria Shua's hilarious cautionary tale about the perils of crossing one's dentist ('A Profession Like Any Other'). A highly entertaining anthology" -Kirkus Reviews.