Doubling Down: Two Novellas, Two Stories

This superb collection exhibits Mr. Wolak’s strange, unforgettable characters superbly in stories both long and short.  “Glass Eye” is the story of love that comes too late.  Will aging Simon Morgan finally find a lover to replace his beloved Marlene in his mysterious neighbor in a low-income housing project for senior citizens?  Or is it a delusion?  In “The Shortcut,” Sam Ames tries desperately to reach his lover Grace who is dying of lung cancer.  Does he survive nearly drowning, or is he destined to become a “Lamp Lighter,” those who lead others into the Great Beyond?  “The Author” pits spiteful Morris Graggle, soon to be a famous author, against film location scout, Jennifer Marvel, soon to launch a career as a Hollywood film director who needs Graggle’s consent optioning one his books to make her directorial debut.  And “Black Marvel,” the second novella, tells the story of a war between a psychotic heroin kingpin and his lubricious Asian partner with the oddball set of characters, including a once famous sculptor, a car restorer, and his enigmatic, loyal friend who are patients of pain management doctor prescribing opioid medications.  These are all ironic masterpieces of their genres.