You are sitting in your chair reading, The Marriage of Sticks, by Jonathan Carrol, and suddenly there's a door flying on air. You don't think twice about the improbability of this strange appearance, but get up and turn the knob. Suddenly an aroma of every Christmas that wasn't spoiled cascades into your room...freshly baked cookies, cinnamon and spice, and everything nice. Now down the chimney comes a nightmare. It pulls up a chair beside you and is prepared to stay.
You can put the book down. But memories are whizzing by like traffic on the Autobahn and surely illumination is near.
Jonathan Carroll is a box of chocolates, the wind behind the door, the shadow that takes shape and draws you in. The Marriage of Sticks is about so much more than selfishness and sacrifice. If the doorbell rings while you're reading it - answer. It could be wonder come to call.