This award-winning story collection by Kevin Barry summons all the laughter, darkness, and intensity of contemporary Irish life. A pair of fast girls court trouble as they cool their heels on a slow night in a small town. Lonesome hillwalkers take to the high reaches in pursuit of a saving embrace. A bewildered man steps off a country bus in search of his identity—and a stiff drink. These stories, filled with a grand sense of life's absurdity, form a remarkably surefooted collection that reads like a modern-day Dubliners. Atlantic City To the hills See the tree, how big it's grown Animal needs Last days of the buffalo Ideal homes The wintersongs Party at Helen's Breakfast wine Burn the bad lamp There are little kingdoms Nights at the gin place The penguins