Demons in the Spring by Joe Meno

I don't usually read short stories but I am always willing to make an exception for one of my favorite authors.  With Demons in the Spring, I never regretted making that exception.

Meno has a way with words.  His novels are always heartbreaking and difficult and this set of short stories follows suite.  The stories are odd.  There is one about a woman who becomes a cloud whenever her husband kisses her.  There is one about a girl who has a tumor that progresses the same way a city would until there is a sky scraper growing from her heart.  Even though the stories tend to contain strange subject matter, they always seem to be such quiet stories.  It is just a day in the life for these characters.  In this way the reader isn't surprised by something strange happening.  Of course it is possible.  Why wouldn't a woman turn into a cloud?

What I love about Meno's writing is that he always leaves me feeling raw.  Sometimes he fills me with loneliness and longing.  These characters are people with a great capacity to love.  If anything, I would say that is what holds this collection together.

Besides the writing, this is a beautiful volume.  I gasped when I opened the envelope it came in.  It has a beautiful light maroon fabric cover and each story has a different illustrator.  While I borrowed this from the library, it would be worth spending the money on.