Heining’s work shows raw emotion roiling just below the surface. His trademark: PASSION…be he citing love/sacrifice, anger/revenge, or oft something in between. (CARING: Steven once saved a nearly-pulped 3 A.M. mugging victim by simply using his car’s horn/high-beams. COMBATIVE: He then terrorized the muggers by nearly running ‘em down after a harassing twenty-block pursuit.) Yes, Heining is never ordinary/ALWAYS provocative. In Latin: sui generis.

Steven’s trauma over his wife’s death explains BETWEEN TWO WORLDS’ theme: mortality. Facing life’s fragility. Here Heining explores the heart’s chiaroscuro (love’s lows/highs); yet ever the rebel, he’s done so by fusing different forms (quotes, dedication, preface, in memoriam, story, cryptograms/their answers). BTW is quality over quantity, poignant even if petite. Er, poignant save Steven’s one Cujo-like baring of fangs. (Ibsen wrote: To live is to war with trolls. )

BTW’s literary rating: PG-13.