New York, New York

In this collection of 15 short stories set in New York City, Silbert (Imaginary People & Other Stories) has brought together a rare assortment of urbanites dealing with the perils, joys and, mostly, the sorrows of life in the city. These voices--which belong equally to men and women--echo the pain that seems to reverberate in each scenario. Some stories deal with crime, such as ""Rescue,"" in which a woman taking a cab home one night is confronted with the bleeding face of woman who has just narrowly escaped being raped. Others deal with death, like ""Suttee,"" in which the newly widowed Ellen becomes obsessed with the tragic Indian tradition. All the stories are a surprising blend of reality and fantasy, where things are not always what they seem to be and life is anything but predictable. Certainly this philosophy fits the lives of most New Yorkers, who spend their days on the edge, searching for love and intimacy, while trying their best to avoid the darkness that may be lurking around the corner. Most of all, this volume offers spectacular array of characters that should not be missed. (Sept.)