She needs to come to a kind of peace with the death of her husband while acknowledging that, at least for the foreseeable future, she will most likely continue to dwell in the land of the living. Byatt uses Luke's Gos pel, with its observations on what comprises the better part, as the basis for an allegory. This story captures with stark beauty the point that Byatt makes in one way or another in each of the tales in this collection. Her characters can choose a life of subsistence, making few choices and taking no chances - the reward for such a life is safety. But for those who actively partake of life, using whatever talents they are given to discover the forms and forces of the world, the prize is unanticipated wonder, beauty and strength.
Many readers shy away from short fiction, feeling that in some way it is a lesser form.
To do so in this case would be to miss some truly resplendent writing. Elementals'' combines finely wrought stories with imagery as sparkling as jewels. It's a work that should not be missed. Robin Vidimos is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to Buzz in the 'Burbs and who hosts book chats on America Online. Reviews will appear on The Denver Post Online.