Steven Millhauser's 'Dangerous Laughter: Thirteen Stories' is a collection that takes readers on a journey through the surreal and the sublime. In this anthology, you'll encounter tales of vanishing acts, immersive worlds, and alternative histories. The opening story, 'Cat 'n' Mouse', illustrates deadly antics with cartoon rivals that prime us for ensuing mature twists. Part one, 'Vanishing Acts', weaves narratives of disappearance, forbidden affections, and reckless youth. The second section, 'Impossible Architectures', dazzles with tales of hidden cities and the quest for the unseen. Finally, 'Heretical Histories' challenges our memory of the past through stories like 'A Precursor of the Cinema' and the disturbing inventions in 'The Wizard of West Orange'. Together, these stories concoct a blend of obsession and dark humor that transport us beyond the edge of reality.