The Woman Who Killed the Fish

That woman who killed the fish unfortunately is me, begins the title story, but if it were my fault, Id own up to you, since I dont lie to boys and girls. I only lie sometimes to a certain type of grownup because theres no other way. Enumerating all the animals shes lovedcats, dogs, lizards, chickens, monkeysClarice finally asks: Do you forgive me? The Mystery of the Thinking Rabbit is a detective story which explains that bunnies think with their noses: for a single idea a bunny might scrunch up his nose fifteen thousand times (he may not be too bright, but hes not foolish at all when it comes to making babies). The third tale, Almost True, is a shaggy dog yarn narrated by a pooch who is very worried about a wicked witch: I am a dog named Ulisses and my owner is Clarice. The wonderful last story, Lauras Intimate Life stars the nicest hen Ive ever seen. Laura is quite dumb, but she has her little thoughts and feelings. Not a lot, but shes definitely got them. Just knowing shes not completely dumb makes her feel all chatty and giddy. She thinks that she thinks. A one-eyed visitor from Jupiter arrives and vows Laura will never be eaten: shes been worrying, because humans are a weird sort of person who can love hens and eat them, too. Such throwaway wisdom abounds: Dont even get me started. These delightful, high-hearted stories, written for her own boys, have charm to burnand are a treat for every Lispector reader.