I just got a copy of the new issue of Absinthe: New European Writing and am sad there isn't a cover image on their site yet to cut and paste here, as it is a really great image. Maybe my favorite Absinthe cover yet, though I'm not quite ready to make the claim too authoritatively yet.
Anyway, in his letter from the editor, Dwayne hints without quite coming right out and completely calling it such that this is their "humor issue." And of the couple of stories I've read thus far, I gotta say I'm really enjoying the humor.
The first story in the issue, "The Now Deceased Member of the Mikkelsen Family" by Jens Blendstrup, is largely, though not completely, a dialogue between a married couple, concerning the recent death of a family member. Though neither is sure who has died, if a death has happened at all.
The Mikkelsen family was not doing well. To put it bluntly, they were sad. It was as though someone had died in their family, someone they valued highly. But when they counted heads, no one was missing.You know how, in movies and such, someone will often have a sudden sinking feeling, this "oh no, something just happened to my brother/mother/etc." moment. Before the cops or other family members have called, before they've heard the news in any way, they just know. This story takes this premise but then the couple look around, survey their family, and see that no one is missing. Regardless, they still know someone has passed, they just have to find out who. It is a touching story, and really, really funny.
-aaron
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