Circle Games

by Jo Mazelis

Nicky is heavily pregnant and should be looking forward to a new home life, but her mother-in-law has other plans. Ethan's plans do not involve his mother—until he's expecting his second child, and things come full circle. Alec is playing at hating his neighbor's extreme Christmas decorations, up until the moment love strikes and changes all the rules. A young dad's impatient care transforms to grace once he allows himself into his small daughter's game. The instinct to make rivals, the urge to reach out to others—these competing claims are the center of these 19 rich stories that probe fantasies of power, control, and revenge.

264 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Jo Mazelis is the author of short stories, non-fiction and poetry. Her collection of stories, Diving Girls (Parthian), was short-listed for the Commonwealth 'Best First Book' and Wales Book of the Year. Her second book, Circle Games (Parthian), was long-listed for Wales Book of the Year. Her stories and poetry have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in various anthologies and magazines, and translated into Danish. Significance is her debut novel, and is a 2015 Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize-winner.

Born and educated in Swansea Jo returned to her home town in 1991 after working in London for many years. During the 1980s she worked as a graphic designer, photographer and illustrator for the magazines City Limits, Women's Review, Spare Rib, Undercurrents, Everywoman and New Dance.