Although the press reviews above say how this book is like having a privaledged rumage through a favourite author's books, I came to this unaware of Ali Smith and was attracted by the concept. I like the idea of a compendium of prose extracts, poetry and even (occasionally) cartoons. I finished it having been introduced to some new writers to follow up on, reaquainted with old favourites (there is a great e. e. cummings poem) and generally feeling pretty good. So, then, asks someone, "where is the selector's presence?" - well I have to say it's barely there, apart form the introduction there are no piece commentaries or anything. So I am a fan of the book and Ms/Mrs Smith obviously has good taste but I think I will be checking out of her choices rather than her own work in the near future. Though of course she couldn't have selected any of her own writing, some more insight into why the individual pieces were special to her would have been nice. I would like to see more in this series.

-M.J.Bowen