A remarkable debut from a truly promising young writer. In twelve rich short stories that move from small-town life to old-time Hollywood, from devotion in a tiny Irish parish to the three-ring piety of Lourdes, Stephen Finucan makes a startling appearance in American literature. His vibrant characters face poignant battles with religion, courage and daily life. In these worlds, subtle gestures and minor events can suddenly turn lives in exactly the opposite direction of where they were supposed to lead. Stephen Finucan's short stories and essays have appeared in numerous magazines, including Saturday Night, This Magazine and The New Quarterly. He lives in Toronto and is a frequent contributor to The Toronto Star daily newspaper. Happy Pilgrims is Finucan's first book.