This is a fantastic collection of masterfully written short stories all concerned with mapping the inner and outer contours of women in their complicated relationships to various types of men in the world: husbands, sons, lovers, etc. Jessen's interests are novel and rigorous. Be sure, this is not a "men be like but women be like" thematic gathering. The identities articulated in highly readable prose are as dark and deep as any forest. The result transcends. I have a few stories I came away particularly enthusiastic about but none of the stories here are throwaways. This would make a fantastic book club read because I'm sure readers will connect to these shorts in myriad ways.