Surprises

In "Floating Bridge," Munro once again explores life's twists, the idea that things often don't turn out the way you expected. I enjoyed her description of how even good news can throw you out of whack.

"It removed a certain low-grade freedom. A dull, protecting membrane that she had not even known was there had been pulled away and left her raw."

And then, when she is unexpectedly kissed by the young waiter, she feels ''a swish of tender hilarity, getting the better of all her sores and hollows, for the time given.''

She recognizes that this is perhaps just a momentary relief, but also that perhaps she has been given more time.