John Barth, the postmodern master, is back with this collection of stories, which are gathered here for the first time, in a single volume.

Through his exploration of the nature of storytelling, and the uncanny power that language has in our lives, he offers the thrilling blend of playfulness and illuminating insight that have marked him as one of the postwar period's most distinguished writers. Here are tales of aging, time, possibility, and relationships, framed - in classically Barthian fashion - by the narration of a veteran writer. The Book of Ten Nights and a Night is vintage Barth, sure to appeal to his loyal fans and find new readers touched by his irreverent but deeply human perspective on how writers respond to the emotional and ethical demands of tragic events.