Product Description
Exhilarating short stories of women breaking free from convention

Every now and then, right in the middle of an ordinary day, a woman rebels, kicks up her heels, and commits a small act of liberation.

What would you do, if you were going to break out and away? Go AWOL from Weight Watchers and spend an entire day eating every single thing you want–and then some? Start a dating service for people over fifty to reclaim the razzle-dazzle in your life–or your marriage? Seek comfort in the face of aging, look for love in the midst of loss, find friendship in the most surprising of places?

Imagine that the people in these wonderful stories–who do all of these things and more–are asking you: What would you do, if nobody was looking?

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 28 reviews)

Not too plausible.

I am a huge Elizabeth Berg fan, having read everything she's written. I don't typically care for short stories, but overall this was one of the better collections of shorter pieces by any author that I've read.

That being said, there's something disingenuous about a strikingly beautiful woman writing about the struggles of women trying to lose weight. I've met Berg in person, and she's drop-dead gorgeous. Perhaps if I didn't know that, I'd be better able to accept her writing about weight issues.

There are plenty of other topics covered here, though, including growing older, taking risks, regrets, and more. If you are a Berg fan or a fan of women's fiction in general, give this a try.
October 05, 2008

edible art

These small stories are good enough to eat! Each one is crafted with memory, empathy, love, and a wry appreciation for the realities of life. "Rain," the story of a friendship between a married woman and a single male friend, captures years of feeling, expressed and unexpressed, in a short story. Delicious!
September 26, 2008

Loved this book!

I'm mom to twin 18-month-olds so don't have much time -- i.e. short stories are perfect. And these stories ARE perfect. Have recommended to all my friends.
September 13, 2008

like a good box of chocolates

I am not generally a fan of short stories, but this book was a total delight. Berg has a a great eye for detail, a nice sense of humor, and a good philosophical perspective. I found myself caring about all her characters and finishing the book with a renewed appreciation of the beauty of everyday life and the human condition.
September 08, 2008

Self indulgent, whiny, and poorly written

I felt this book was such a whiny, self indulgent book that was one step down from hackneyed chick lit. It was more like chick lit meets "fictional" self-help. I thought it was corny, silly, poorly written, simplistic, and not worth the time it takes to read.
September 06, 2008

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