Book excerpt: 'Beautifully crafted' New York Times 'The best collection I've read in years, from a phenomenal new talent' Celeste Ng From an award-winning writer, a stunning collection of stories about women's unexpressed desires and needs, and the unexpected ways they resurface. In 'Floor Plans', a woman at the end of her marriage tests her power when she inadvertently befriends the neighbor trying to buy her apartment. In 'Appetite', a sixteen-year old grieving her mother's death experiences first love and questions how much more heartbreak she and her family can endure. In 'Dinosaurs', a recent widower and a young babysitter help each other navigate how much they have to give -and how much they can take - from the people around them. Through stories that are at once empathetic and unexpected, these women and girls defiantly push the boundaries between selfishness and self-possession. With a fresh voice and bold honesty, Back Talk examines how narrowly our culture allows women to express their desires.