The girl in the fall-away dress

the long version

"Four sisters, many lovers, and a series of settings both familiar and exotic delineate the nineteen linked stories in this award-winning debut collection. Although most of the characters have roots in the South, their search for home and for truth takes them to New York City, San Francisco, even to the northern coast of Iceland. Michelle Richmond introduces us to a memorable extended family, in which lies come more easily than forgiveness, and parents and siblings conceal the truth as often as they reveal it. In many cases, the women are forced to choose--between family and lovers, safety and self-sufficiency, the religion they grew up with and the reality of the world they have found for themselves."--Amazon.com.