In ‘The Map Waits’, the reader is nudged, rocked, swept away by waves of eminently pertinent, poignant, poetic prose where every phrase conjures up a new picture, vision, delight. There are titles from Shakespeare, e.g. “Even to the Edge of Doom”, lyrical lines throughout, e.g. “his life suspended on a silver sliver of speed, ice spitting in his face”, and final sentences like magic anchors, e.g. “That starched white eggshell of a dress.” Characters and stories are very varied, interesting and intriguing, reflective rather than melancholic, precise and profound, and crafted with lilting, uplifting language. I sincerely enjoyed and appreciated 48 of these 49 stories. “Terra Incognita”, one of my favourites, begins “The galleys wallow home, bellies low with other men’s gold.” Likewise, indulging in Sharon Telfer’s collection takes us on a mesmerising voyage, “heart thumping like a fresh-caught fish”.