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"must read" The Weight of the Light is a compilation of over 10 years of short story writing by the author, Tom Maples. His words capture the essence of things that cannot be captured in a tangeable way. The stories are artfully constructed and weave an interesting web of life, love, heartache, loss, and renewal of the self.

Easy to read, yet impossible to put down. I recommend it highly.

Dr. Claire Edwards

"Darkness in the Light" Tom Maples’ new book, The Weight of the Light is chock full of symbols and melancholy imagery. This is much more than a collection of short stories. It is a rare psychological drama, the tragicomedy of a failed marriage, a poetic downward spiral into madness.

Maples has broken new ground into literature. Brave new words. He poses the chapters as songs. Side A is dominated by the failure of love, Side B by alcohol-triggered memories. Like songs in a well-crafted album, these stories stand well on their own as meditations. No tricks of the trade or obvious cliff hangers. These stories are expertly woven together with concrete and rebar. The weight of the light is a Chicago winter the color of a mopwater pail . . . the existential scent of an accidental burn. The weight of the light is heavy and dark and all too real. Tom Maples offers us a bold new book. No blame. No excuses.

Ahem,

Slim Fatz