A brief 176 pages make up Concerning The Future Of Souls: 99 Stories Of Azrael, a curious examination of the role of archangel Azrael by Joy Williams. Each ‘story’ is backended by its title, making for a revelatory moment when the subject of the tale is shared. These subjects range from celebrated artists such as Bach and Kafka to ordinaries, animals and other biblical beings. Similarly, the book as a whole only really reveals itself when read fully and I would advise putting time aside for a one-hit-wonder sitdown session, to read straight through for maximum impact.

Azrael, the psychopomp from Peter’s Apocalypse who graciously separates souls from their bodies, asks that you not confuse him with Death himself. In fact, Joy Williams presents Azrael as a self-conscious (if not wholly self-aware) being who relies on the Devil for affirmation and companionship. He, Azrael, is concerned by the amount of work he has to do – making it to the multitudes of souls on time – and whether or not he can keep it up forever.

It becomes apparent that it is The Future Of Souls which Williams herself is actually concerned with, and that Azrael is her conduit, giving her access to multiple existences through which to illuminate the inevitable. This could explain Azrael’s absence from many of the stories, which I found frustrating. Of course, his work is everywhere and always – but perhaps not forever.