Contemporary New England Stories

Sex, religion and relationships are recurring themes in this diverse anthology, whose stories are united by their excellence rather than by an overarching sense of place. Though most are set in New England, their connection to the region is often tenuous--in some cases, almost coincidental. The action in John Updike's ``The Afterlife'' unfolds in England, while Christopher Tilghman sets ``In a Father's Place'' in Maryland. Robert Stone's wonderful ``Helping'' centers on a childless couple who have devoted their lives to aiding others but are incapable of helping themselves. In the moving ``Clothing'' by John L'Heureux, a Jesuit finds hope after setting aside his cassock, cincture and Roman collar. Blanche McCrary Boyd's ``The Black Hand Girl'' takes a humorous look at a young woman's sexual coming-of-age. John Cheever offers one of the few tales in the conventional New England mode: ``The President of the Argentine'' features the kind of Bostonian who takes great pride in his 35-year-old vicuna coat, remarking, ``I have discovered that there are only three clubs left in the world where the age of my coat is respected.'' Curtis, a senior editor at the Atlantic , embraces a broad definition of regional fiction in a collection that manages to delight as well as to surprise. (Dec.)