It's hard to avoid reading these apparently artless little stories as social documents, but they are really vignettes of disappointment: a reluctant teacher gives evening grinds to even more reluctant pupils in order to feed his wife and baby; a painter practically pulls his studio apart, so eager is he to show off his work to prospective buyers, only to discover that they have neither any money nor any intention of buying a painting; a promising musician settles for a life as an accompanist because he lacks the strength of character necessary to make the grade as a soloist. The title story, an exploration of the delicate cruelty of children's games, is the best of this collection which was first published in 1978 and which, thanks to its overwhelmingly downbeat mood, is more accomplished than inspiring.
