Although continually demonstrating throughout the 16 stories gathered here that his bizarre vision, never mind impressive talent, relies for effect almost entirely on extremes, McCormack resists pushing his wacky narratives beyond their limits. He is a confident, clever, risky yet controlled writer; his comedy is black, often brutal, and his particular interest is domestic violence of the psychological variety. McCormack has read widely and there are echoes of his masters. Father-son tensions surface in several of the stories, but he is far more interested in the mind than he is in emotions. Getting it in the Head is a pretty apt title, but at their more grotesque moments these tales ensure the reader also gets it in the stomach.
