A new book of speculative stories by Russia's 'Queen of Horror'. Set in a time that is almost today, and a place that is almost anywhere, Starobinets' stories are neither science fiction nor magical realism but combine elements of both. These are stories of transformation, as enabled by technology and science - Kafkaesque tales for today.

• A routine surgical operation that makes men 'nicer' has surprising societal effects
• Two mysterious movie producers offer a budding screenwriter his first major break, but are not what they seem
• A hospital cleaner witnesses a doctor’s experiments in metamorphosis
• The holiday outing to end all holidays, and not everyone can return…
• An electronic nanny takes over family life, in a bad way…