Jacob Appel is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors anywhere. I have had the pleasure now of reading a few collections of his short stories and he continually astounds me with his ability to convey human emotions and feelings in such a way that the characters and the stories hold fast with you long after you have finished reading them. He has the ability to create a world you are sucked into and aren't fully willing to leave, even in the short span of 15-20 pages. A brilliant craftsman with stunningly rich characters weaved into tapestries of what could easily be the life of your next door neighbor, I anxiously await any forthcoming work from this outstanding writer.