Messiah Complex: and Other Stories

From the moment I began reading Michael Olin-Hitts recent collection of short stories Messiah Complex and Other Stories I was immediately reminded of the moment I discovered the stories of Raymond Carver. There is an immediate comfort with the conversational rhythm of the story telling. I found myself listening to some of these characters like I listened to Holden Caulfield. These stories end pitch-perfectly. Our lives are comprised of loose ends and Olin-Hitts stories while certainly take place in this tangle are extracted in a near surgical manner finishing in decisive moments. After reading this collection in one sitting I recalled the words of Charles Lindbergh: Life is a culmination of the past an awareness of the present as indication of a future beyond knowledge the quality that gives a touch of divinity to matter These stories in the hands of other writers might end muddied by too much mucking around from stirring up unnecessary details. These are quick clear crisp stories which in the masterful hands of Olin-Hittt make you feel something. David Anthony Martin Publisher Middle Creek Publishing & Audio and author of Span and Deepening the Map I was drawn into the story by Joshs kinetic voice and hooked by his spirited and smart digressions. But what really engaged me was the emotional complexity and the way the author carefully and subtly added so many layers. Theres sadness and loss but its met with optimism and empathy. And thats what ultimately won me over: its bighearted and optimistic without being naive. Struggle and beauty says Miriam. You dont get one without the other. Thats what this story offers. Struggle and beauty and grace. Bryan Hurt author of Everyone Wants to Be Ambassador to France and editor of Watchlist: 32 Stories by Persons of Interest. I nudged another project aside with the idea that I would take a quick peek at these stories. Hours later I was still reading -- crying my way through much of the work. Michael Olin-Hitt is the Leonard Cohen of fiction. Read these stories. You will be transported transformed washed new. Debra Leigh Scott Founding Director of Hidden River Arts and author of Other Likely Stories.