This is a limited edition, signed by Carroll himself and Dave McKean - the artist responsible for that rather excellent cover. When I bought this, it was the second most expensive book I'd ever bought - and I'm glad to say that a google search shows it's held its value if not put some on.
The story is typical Jonathan Carroll. A couple are making a drink for the two delivery men who've just dropped off a new fridge when there's a knock at the door. At the door is what appears to be a pair of god-bothering evangelists. But these are far from normal. They claim to have the big answers to everything and say they can prove it, They offer $1000 to each of the four if they're not satisfied with the explanations.
That's when things get weird. The story moves into the realms of the fantastic very rapidly from then on, magical powers, denizens of Hell being relocated to small town USA, a guest appearance from Satan himself... This is a great fun little novella. It's surreal and funny and packed with Carroll's always excellent prose and wit - with an underlying darkness and a complete up in the air ending.
Although I do think recent works by Carroll have kind of fizzled out rather than ending, this one has an almost perfect close.
A jolly good book to end the year on.
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