A Review of Matthew Vollmer’s Inscriptions For Headstones by Liam Lloydsmith

Reflecting on Snake Dissections, Games of “Manhunter,” and A Beer With Dad: A Review of Matthew Vollmer’s Inscriptions For Headstones by Liam Lloydsmith

Originally published by Outpost 19, Matthew Vollmer's 2012 collection, Inscriptions for Headstones, is now available for free download on the writer's site. Though it's not the journal's regular practice to review out-of-print books, we felt it was worthwhile to challenge expectations and resist the limiting logic of the publishing industry. 

In this unique collection, Vollmer recounts the many lives and lessons he has learned from the perspective of looking at graves by means of a series of single-sentence epitaphs or inscriptions for headstones. But that's not the only experiment in play. To paraphrase Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future: “Periods? Where we’re going we don’t need periods.” While the complete lack of periods in the book might initially pose a bit of a challenge for readers, I found that my mind quickly wrapped itself around Vollmer's approach. The experience of reading the book then become a funny, intense, and thoroughly thought-provoking journey that read as swiftly as it came off the tongue.

Each essay, unfolding at light-speed, mirrors the flow of consciousness and paints a complex portrait of what it means to be a human and have lived as a human. By framing these essays as one-sentence epitaphs, Vollmer captures the impossible desire to understand the meaning of life and condense it into a few words. The never-ending sentences reflect that “wait, one more thing!” moment we've all experienced. The essays are, yes, fictional epitaphs, but one can’t help but draw connections between the stories and wonder how many might based on Vollmer’s own experiences.

Vollmer’s writing itself is largely characterized by its lyrical quality and great depth; he employs precise language and imagery throughout, seamlessly evoking emotion and introspection for the reader. Many of the essays essays here are also funny, delving into unexpected subject areas: stories of playing basketball, dissecting a snake, kicking a classmate in the mouth. Both childhood and adulthood are explored, but every essay maintains the writer's distinctive point-of-view on the human condition. 

Vollmer could have chosen a different approach, of course, and embraced a more traditional form, but that choice would have removed the possibility for rendering meaning and subtext in this precise way. Despite the collection's experimental nature, the epitaphs feel natural, innately human. Part of this has to do with Vollmer's conversational style. There's a vocal quality to the writing (reading the book feels like listening to the writer as he speaks to you) that enhances the overall experience of the epitaph form.

Despite the book's many unique appeals, it's one of hundreds of books that go out of print every year in the context of today's publishing world. The reasons span from limited market appeal to logistical issues with smaller publishers, but it all comes down to funding. While it's fantastic that  Inscriptions For Headstones is now available (for free!), it's unfortunate that so many books face this fate. It's my opinion that this book should be read by all those who are human and interested in an innovative and fresh read. All you have to do is click through and start reading!