The inspiration for the six-part series "Little Birds" from Sophia Al-Maria. These thirteen erotic short stories by the acclaimed author of Henry and June explore the nature of desire, taboo, and female sensuality. From the beach towns of Normandy to the streets of New Orleans, these thirteen vignettes introduce us to a covetous French painter, a sleepless wanderer of the night, a guitar-playing gypsy, and a host of others who yearn for and dive into the turbulent depths of romantic experience. "[It is] so distinct an advance in the depiction of female sensuality that I felt, on reading it, enormous gratitude."--Alice Walker "One of contemporary literature's most important writers.--Newsweek