Who among us has not enjoyed a sin or two? Sinners all, we've each been tempted! Here are eight renowned authors discoursing on their favorite transgressions.

Without guilt one can savor these ruminations in which Thomas Pynchon energetically defends Sloth, Mary Gordon discusses the joys of Anger, Gore Vidal shames us into modesty in his commentary on Pride, and John Updike plays devil's advocate on the subject of Lust. And, as if that's not temptation enough, William Trevor begs indulgence as he relishes the excesses of Gluttony, Richard Howard proves well versed on his coveted topic, Avarice, while A. S. Byatt exorcises the green-eyed demons of Envy.

When Joyce Carol Oates chose to explore the only unforgivable sin, Despair, the editors of The New York Times Book Review (where these pieces first appeared) agreed. That was one better than Saint Thomas Aquinas, who first articulated the deadly seven. But why not? Today we have a greater opportunity to sin and a wider knowledge of it, made so deliciously available by contemporary life-styles and the media. So please enjoy!