Good Women

Jane Stevenson arrived on the British literary scene with a book called Several Deceptions. A collection of four novellas, it was unashamedly erudite, marvellously witty and just a little bit cruel. It revived a neglected form quite brilliantly.

Now, after four acclaimed novels, she returns with another sparkling novella collection. In ''Light My Fire'' a passionate relationship cannot withstand a clash of tastes and an ancient Aga; a housewife''s life is transformed when she starts to see angels in ''Walking with Angels''; and ''Garden Guerillas'' follows a widow plotting an elaborate horticultural revenge on her daughter-in-law. Despite being framed by domesticity, these stories are wickedly potent and each has a string in its tale.