Concerning The Future Of Souls by Joy Williams is a profound exploration of mortality through the eyes of Azrael, the Angel of Death. Williams, a renowned master of the short story form, presents a collection of ninety-nine narratives that delve into the enigmatic fate of the soul.
In this compelling work, readers will encounter a tapestry of connected yet disparate beings - from ordinary individuals to extraordinary figures like Jung, Nietzsche, Pythagoras, Bach, and Rilke. The natural world is also represented, with mountains, oceans, and various creatures, including a chimp named Washoe, each experiencing their own unique journey towards the unknown.
Williams weaves a rich philosophical and cultural narrative that is both an absolution and an indictment, leaving readers in a state of wonder and contemplation. Concerning The Future Of Souls is an invitation to ponder the morality of our mortal existence in an era marked by extinction.