Eight interlinked stories of ordinary people whose lives are touched by the gods make up a new collection by Iranian/American/Kiwi writer Mahyar Amouzegar. The Hubris in an Empty Hand is his fourth book. Some of the characters understand they've received - or are in the presence of - a gift from a god. Others are oblivious. Friendships and relationships are tested, and those who receive a gift to do good don't always know what to do with it. They can find themselves addicted to the ability, and unwilling to do what must be done to keep it alive and pass it on to another person. Mahyar reads from the collection and talks to Lynn Freeman. The Hubris of an Empty Hand was published by University of New Orleans Press.