Annie Proulx is a fine writer and I have enjoyed each of her Wyoming story collections. I may not remember the balance of the stories in the other books, I certainly don't recall them being as grim as this collection. Strongly written, engaging and peopled with characters that felt painfully real, I found myself wondering if this is the only side of Wyoming she has taken to heart, she should definitely move. Not a lot of happy campers in this bunch, unless you count the two whimsical stories that feature Satan as the pivotal driver. That said, I will probably pick up her memoir about building her home in Wyoming. It has always been one of my favorite places, and I look forward to seeing much more of it in the near future when I am finally able to take up residence in Montana and Wyoming will only be a few hours drive away.