Tender as Hellfire

This novel does a wonderful job of drilling into your head just how stagnant and alienated a child must feel after being forced into such an unpleasantly dull environment during his formative years. The author's voice is exceptional, and few stories I've read have had such unique characters. Each chapter is a short story in and of itself, a few so compelling that I was tempted to flip back and read them a second time before moving on in the book, but at the same time I could hardly help but race to the end.

Tender as Hellfire is an excellent piece of work. Meno writes with such emotion that you will become instantly involved, from start to finish. The author has the true talent of describing a place and characters that you feel as if are true--which is the mark of a great writer. Can't wait for the next one!

The author really paints a picture of Mid-Western life I have never seen before in fiction. It is a story of two brothers and how they might be cursed by the Devil because of their father's criminal life. The book is full of surreal twists and turns and kept me hooked the whole way.

I couldn't put this book down, and I'm glad as all hell! Dough was one of the few characters in recent literature that I could relate to, and actually felt for! Read it! It's worth the money, and if you ever get the chance to meet Joe, you won't regret it. He's one down to earth guy! Good luck on book number 2, Joe!

From the moment I picked this book up I was immediately captured by its unbelieveably vivid and well-told story. And the characters are so compelling and imaginative that I know they will stay with me for a long time to come. This is one of those rare works of literature that once you start reading it, everything else takes a back seat. I highly, highly recommend it.