In a far future society, people change their identities, their societal roles, even their personalities based upon the masks they must don each day. But not every citizen is content to play their mandated part, longing instead to discover who they are beneath their masks: sinner, gentleman, or beast. Winner of the 2009 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and nominated for the 2010 Hugo Award for Best Novelette, the 2010 WSFA Small Press Award, and the 2009 BSFA Award for Best Short Story. “…an elegantly strange slipstreamish fantasy” —Gardner Dozois, Locus “This far future science fiction tale is an exploration of self identity and the masks we all wear in public…a beautifully written and fast-paced tale” —Jason Sanford “…a classy fantasy, a strange society in which the wearing of masks in not only compulsory, but one in which the mask worn confers a different daily identity…The implications of this are subtly portrayed, as is the response to those who oppose this status quo.” —Mark Watson, Best SF Reviews “Foster has created a fascinating world here.” —Sam Tomaino, SFRevu. “Foster’s story might not take the reader where they expect to go, but it’s a heady journey nonetheless, encompassing sex and death, and it is told in an accomplished manner…powerful stuff. —Martin McGrath, The Fix “…a really engrossing otherworld fantasy” —Tansy Rayner Roberts “Foster delivers an ending that isn’t what you think it might be, and raises some unsettling questions about the connection between non-conformity and sociopathy.” —Black Gate “…a colourful story of a world in which characters wear different masks each day and enact different, stylized, roles—not a new idea, but handled newly, with a dark ending.” —Rich Horton “…yet another in a run of massively inventive, intelligent stories from Eugie.” —Alasdair Stuart “…a blast of sensory overload…Eugie Foster as usual doesn’t shy away from the darker and more unpleasant side of human nature…a wondrous, sickening, startling story that is sure to stick in the mind.” —Gareth D. Jones, SF Crowsnest