Winner of the 2021 Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, this intelligent collection from Sen (The Pathless Sky) explores themes of isolation and connection with clear, direct prose, focusing on Indian and Indian American protagonists. In the opening story, "The Immigrant," a traveling businessman tries to write a letter to his parents back in India but is distracted by a nearby search for a little boy who has gone missing. "North, South, East, West" features a husband and wife going to their twin daughter's and son's parent-teacher conferences; as the story moves through each family member's perspective, their familial issues are gradually revealed. In "Uma," a young widow moves from India to the United States to live with her brother and his family, only to find that her new home feels hostile to her and her native country. "A Century Ends" takes place in the year 1999 and centers on an elementary school teacher trying to understand why her coworker and friend has given up on teaching. Each story is a distinct glimpse into the lives of complicated, fully realized characters. VERDICT Recommended for readers who enjoy thoughtful fiction with well-developed characters navigating difficult situations.—Jennifer Renken