cover image Escapes

Escapes

Joy Williams. Vintage Books USA, $11 (168pp) ISBN 978-0-679-73331-7

Themes of sickness, lies and death recur here: in the title story, Lizzie and her alcoholic mother entertain illusions of recovery on a trip to a magic show, while ``The Route'' maps a couple's waning love. ``Several of these tales have been included in prize collections,'' said PW ; ``all of them exhibit the qualities of a skillfully cut gem: shapely, luminous, multifaceted.'' Author tour. (Apr.)