Lives of the Mind Slaves: Selected Stories

Matt Cohen's stories have been widely anthologized and have appeared in distinguished periodicals and journals in Canada, Britain and the United States. Lives of the Mind Slaves features 7 short stories — one of which ('Trotsky's First Confessions') was written especially for this book — and a brilliant novella.

Cohen's novella, 'Golden Whore of the Heartland', explores the conflict between the spontaneity of passion — a chance affair — and the comfort of commitment and belonging. 'The Sins of Tomas Benares' explores the theme of love over generations. 'Café Le Dog' is a celebration of all that remains inexplicable in the attractions between men and women. 'Racial Memories' is vintage Cohen — a story about a not-so-classic Jewish family.

Lives of the Mind Slaves contains the best of Cohen's two previous short story collections, Café Le Dog and Living on Water.