The best story in the collection is Maryse Conde's story about being alien. The other stories are pretty hit and miss. Some are good, and some are meh. The earlier ones tend to be the better ones.
Good collection of stories.
IntroductionTranslator's NoteSelect BibliographyA Chronology of Émile ZolaFamily Tree of the Rougon-Macquart--The Conquest of PlassansExplanatory Notes
ChronologyIntroductionFurther ReadingTranslator's Note--Dangerous LiaisonsAppendix 1: Additional LettersAppendix 2: Selected Adaptations of 'Dangerous Liaisons'Notes
Recommended by Margaret and Simran.