From the rural villages of Central America to the Mojave Desert to the expensive homes of Santa Barbara, these stories by a superb writer explore the explosive relations between rich and poor, workers and bosses, Anglo and Chicano, men and women, nature and culture. The urban novella "Talking to the World" is about a discontent veterinarian, a bedridden philosopher, a by-the-rules apartment manager, Gustav Mahler; and a dying koala.