A cast of affecting characters lovingly portrayed by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt animates these eight contemporary fables about people in search of happiness.

One of Europe’s most popular and bestselling authors, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt captivates the reader with his spirited style and enchanting stories that move effortlessly from the everyday to the fantastical. The eight stories in this collection represent his best and most imaginative storylines: from the touching and surprising love story between Balthazar, a wealthy author, and Odette, a shop clerk, to the tale of a barefooted princess; from the moving title story of about a group of female prisoners in a Soviet gulag to the entertaining portrait of a perennially disgruntled perfectionist. Behind each story lies a simple, if elusive, truth: though we may frequently be blind to it, happiness is often right in front of our eyes.

“There is a surprising sweetness to these stories of redemption and reconciliation. They carry a slight pleasant aftertaste, a lingering hint of delight.”—Barbara Fisher, Boston Globe

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt is one of Europe’s most popular and acclaimed authors and playwrights. His many novels and story collections include The Most Beautiful Book in the World (Europa, 2009). In 2001, he was awarded the French Academy’s Grand Prix du Théâtre. Schmitt divides his time between Paris, France, and Belgium.

• May 5 2010
  Publishing Perspectives: "Tightly constructed and concise without sacrificing a deep sympathy for humanity’s dark moments and a celebration of its redeeming acts."
  
• Dec 18 2009
  The Times Literary Supplement Review: "The circle is neatly drawn; its pleasure is a cold one."
  
• Nov 2 2009
  Mostly Fiction Book Review: "Truth, beauty, and especially happiness are ours if we possess the strength to see them everywhere."
  
• Aug 27 2009
  The Boston Globe: "There is a surprising sweetness to these stories of redemption and reconciliation. They carry a slight pleasant aftertaste, a lingering hint of delight."
  
• Aug 25 2009
  Words Without Borders: "These stories are also delightfully unexpected, shot through with breezy wit, and rendered in precise, unshowy prose, expertly translated by Alison Anderson."
  
• Jun 24 2009
  Publishers Weekly: "Schmitt’s stories capture a quirky, clever, feminist, very French sensibility."