There are some lines you read that make you set the book down until they've sunk in. Alcoves inside the Lining is populated with such lines.
Rowe's writing style might live on ground level, amongst the smog, stench of beer and the lipstick stained mugs of life but it's content lives up with the Angels. There's a richness to AITL's understanding of human nature, death and decline that creates a superb literary tapestry.
I'd been privy to some of his shorts through the Literally Stories website but Rowe has outdone even his finest work available there.