
by Mark Lyons is an important landmark in the literature of multiculturalism. He does for literature what Mark Twain did in Huckleberry Finn -- stayed true to the natural dialect of the region the characters are from. From immigrants south of the border to the Inuits in the far north, Lyons captures their speech and their hopes. You can't help but care about these people, and root for them to overcome their obstacles. He's a master of various voices. God created Adam out of clay and Eve out of a rib, but Lyons creates characters out of speech patterns. In the beginning was the word. In the beginning and end stands Mark Lyons, looking out for his characters. It reminds me of the early plays of Jane Martin, when she allowed monologue to rule the stage. A tour de force. A master storyteller who lets the human voice dominate. I give it my highest recommendation." -- Hal Sirowitz, former Poet Laureate of Queens, New York Brief Eulogies at Roadside Shrines
It takes a poet to say it so poetically. Mr. Sirowicz nails it.