Caryatids

For centuries, sculptors and architects have been fascinated with caryatids, the sculpted female figures used as support columns for classical buildings. But there are also human caryatids, metaphorical pillars of society.

In Caryatids, author Michaele Benedict offers thirty-four remarkable short stories of transformation and survival that show lovers, teachers, artists and thieves supporting their various causes, but sometimes just getting fed up and walking away from the job.

In the story "Caryatids," the statues speak. "The Diener" reveals how the letter "Y" can sum up everything that's wrong.

"A Moving Target" tells how a college psychology teacher is haunted by the ghost of Sigmund Freud-and by a number of hopeful ladies.

Poppa does his best to take care of his motherless girls in "Poppa's Fiddle."

Annie becomes obsessed with trash after she loses the baby in "Temporary, Like Achilles," Fleurette leads the good life on the French Riviera in "The Violin of Ingres," and in "Michal's Story" we learn about the first wife of King David, bought with a hundred Philistine foreskins.

Who, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, would want to hold up a floor for others to dance upon? Caryatids suggests some answers.