Alice Munro is an amazing short story writer. Runaway is yet another example of her mastery of the craft. Realistic, vividly drawn characters. Well-developed plots. Insight and wisdom about human nature . . . about choices and defining moments. Check, check, check. As always, she seems wise, like someone who, for better or worse, understands exactly how we humans work.

I was also interested in some of the recurring themes here: the nature of power, particularly for her characters, mostly women in the 1950s-1970s, as well as whether or not women need to sacrifice a certain amount of warmth in order to survive.

But her characters here aren't as endearing as those in the previous collection of hers that I've read, Dance of the Happy Shades. That collection was written 40 years ago. Not sure what has happened along the way for Munro, but the characters in Runaway weren't as likable or sympathetic as those in Happy Shades. The writing in Runaway is just as strong (or better), but the feel is a bit colder. The book is definitely worth reading, though, for anyone interested in contemporary short story writers.