The Marriage of Sticks

The Marriage of Sticks by Jonathan Carroll is a surreal and introspective novel that blends elements of magical realism with psychological drama. The story revolves around Miranda Romanac, a successful and independent woman in her thirties who works in New York City as a dealer of rare books. Despite her career success, Miranda leads a somewhat detached and self-centered life, prioritizing her own needs and desires over meaningful connections with others. Mirandaa's life makes an unexpected turn when she encounters Hugh Oakley, an older man with whom she begins a relationship. Hugh is both enigmatic and fascinating. Their relationship is intense and fulfilling in a way she has never experienced. As the story progresses, Miranda's life becomes increasingly surreal. She begins to experience strange and unsettling visions, as well as encounters with ghostly figures from her past. These supernatural elements appear to be manifestations of her unresolved guilt and emotional wounds she has inflicted on others throughout her life. One of these encounters is with a woman who claims to be her future self, warning her about the consequences of her choices. The novel's title, The Marriage of Sticks, refers to a metaphorical ceremony that represents the union of the past and present, the merging of one's actions and their consequences. As Miranda delves deeper into her own psyche, she is forced to confront the mistakes she has made, particularly in her relationships with others. The novel explores themes of regret, redemption, and the possibility of change. Praise for The Marriage of Sticks: "Carroll often startles with the deftness of his insights, both personal and metaphysical, and there are many lines that, for their poetry, one wants to cut out and frame." — Publishers Weekly "[Carroll] evokes an eerie world of hidden meanings in this compelling tale of a woman's journey to the edge of reality. Carroll writes with a stark elegance that infuses the everyday world with a hint of surrealism and a taste of the unreal. Highly recommended for fantasy and general fiction collections." — Library Journal "Carroll realizes characters and settings superbly and propels the story forward compellingly. " — Booklist "The Marriage of Sticks is classic Carroll: witty, wise, strange, elusive, immediate." — Charles de Lint