<DIV><p>The short fiction of Mary Clearman Blew, set in Montana, reflects the brutality of the region as seen in the mountains, the severe weather, and the personal hardships of the people living there. In each of these seven stories, the characters, driven to hurt or be hurt, reflect a range of violence--in their interaction with each other, their relationships with animals, or the effect the harsh environment has on their lives. Whether the turmoil is external (the snowstorm in "Lambing Out") or internal (the sisters’ memories in "Paths unto the Dead"), its toll on the person touched is clear and sharp. The result is an acceptance of--even a love for--the cruelty of the harsh environment.</p><p> </p></DIV>