I read quite a few short story collections, but very few make it on to Random Things, for various reasons. I've often found that short stories have left me feeling unfulfilled as a reader, that I've not really understood what the author is trying to say. Sometimes a collection will feature one or two excellent stories whilst the others feel like they've been added as an afterthought, or to pad out the book. I have had none of these feelings whilst reading, or after I've finished Multitudes. This is a collection of eleven quite beautifully constructed stories that have held me spellbound. Lucy Caldwell takes her reader to Belfast for the majority of her tales and the setting is so realistic, the flavour of the city, pre the Good Friday agreement is startling and so very very well done. Multitudes is a sort of coming-of-age collection. Each story has its own lead character, they are not linked in any way except for their setting. The stories are arranged by age, with The Ally Ally O starting, right through to the quite mesmerising final tale, Multitudes. Lucy Caldwell touches on so many difficult issues experienced by young girls as they grow up. The devastation of broken friendships, the yearning of secret crushes and the sometimes terrible decisions that are made because of these. She explores sexuality and differences, and incorporates a theme of determination and survival throughout the book. Multitudes is gripping and very raw. The stories are often tragic, always smart, they are poignant and captivating.