Delicate Edible Birds

"Richly conceived, finely detailed stories . . . of smart, daring women who are in search of, in thrall to, or disillusioned by love" (Booklist).

"Nine wildly unique, exquisitely symphonic tales, full of beauty, tragedy, and the sudden horror of shocking images—this is Groff's gift to readers. And what a gift it is." —Library Journal


From Lauren Groff, author of the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling novel Fates and Furies, comes Delicate Edible Birds, one of the most striking short fiction debuts in years. Here are nine stories of astonishing insight and variety, each revealing a resonant drama within the life of a twentieth-century American woman.


"[An] innovative and beautifully written collection that covers a wide swath of humanity, from east coast resort towns, to the early twentieth century flu epidemic, to WWII Europe." —Publishers Weekly

"Tales of ordinary transformations and everyday occurrences are made magical in a collection of nine stories by Groff. . . . Groff's skill makes commonplace occurrences seem compelling." —Kirkus Reviews