The Springs of Affection by Maeve Brennan is a distinguished collection of short stories, posthumously published in 1997. This compilation brings together some of Brennan's most profound and poignant works, many of which were originally featured in The New Yorker. The stories in The Springs of Affection are primarily set in Dublin, Brennan's birthplace. They delve into themes of family dynamics, marital strife, and the complex interplay of human emotions. Brennan's writing is celebrated for its acute attention to detail and her ability to capture the subtleties of everyday life. Her narratives are marked by a keen psychological insight and a deep empathy for her characters, making her stories both intimate and universally relatable.

Brennan's exploration of the inner lives of women in these stories is particularly noteworthy. She portrays their struggles, desires, and conflicts with a nuanced understanding, offering a window into the female experience in mid-20th-century Ireland. The collection includes some of Brennan's most revered stories, like the eponymous The Springs of Affection, which display her extraordinary talent for storytelling and her mastery of the short story form.

The Springs of Affection stands as a testament to Maeve Brennan's literary legacy. Her precise narrative voice and her skill in portraying the intricacies of human relationships render this collection a timeless piece of literature.