A fiction collection, including two new stories, from the award-winning author: "Rhoda is a fully realized creation. And not one to be dismissed lightly."--Entertainment Weekly   From Ellen Gilchrist, a National Book Award winner and "national treasure" (The Washington Post), this volume includes twenty-three stories starring Rhoda Manning--"the shining manifestation of Gilchrist's wry, intelligent, and passionate writing" (Kirkus Review).   Follow Rhoda from age eight to age sixty, as she grows from a hot-tempered, impetuous child to a complex, confident adult. Even at a young age, Rhoda loves to get her way, boasting a unique spark that only shines brighter in an adulthood full of sex and excitement. From diet pills to multiple marriages to far-reaching travels and a writing career, Rhoda's relentless hunger for adventure will delight all who accompany her on her journeys.    "A winner...Rhoda is as real as anyone who has ever 'lived' in a book."--Library Journal   "Rhoda loves to shop, swear and get her own way; she has always been a vivid and indelible character."--Publishers Weekly    "One of the most engaging and surprisingly lovable characters in modern fiction."--Robert Olen Butler