Cheever‘s stories primarily deal with postwar American east coast suburbia, juxtaposing its superficial, idyllic “leave it to beaver” facade with its underbelly of competition, alcoholism, gossip and promiscuity. Some stories have a twilight zone feel without the sci-fi, while others are quirky and humorous. One of the stories in this volume, “The Swimmer,” was adapted into an off-beat film starring Burt Lancaster in 1968. It‘s essential Cheever.