Similar to the first volume, this book contains a collection of short stories with no overall “glue” other than they are all by Irish writers. I particularly enjoyed “Home Sickness,” a story by George Moore about a young man who leaves Ireland for America. When the story opens, he has just returned to Ireland to recover from an illness, and he finds that he no longer quite belongs here. However, when he returns to America again, he once more feels out of place. This is the quintessential tale of the immigrant and his attempts to fit in. I also liked “The Stolen Sheep” by John Banim, which is a story about a poor, old man who is faced with a moral dilemma when he is asked to testify against his son who stole a sheep to feed his starving father. The father is torn between his love for his son and his conviction to always tell the truth. This is a touching tale about family bonds. The other stories were so-so in my opinion, hence the lower rating. However, it’s a short read, and I would recommend it if you are particularly interested in Irish literature. ( )