Family. Inescapable, universal, defining. Whether near or far, family can evoke feelings of love or resentment, trust or regret--but never indifference. In sixteen unforgettable stories, V.S. Kemanis lays bare the conflicts and joys of family life, exploring the depth and intractability of interpersonal relationships. A mysterious aunt is buried with a dark family secret, leaving a clue as her only legacy. A single mom struggles to care for a severely disabled child, asking herself, "What if?" A teenager's friend, invited along for a family vacation, slips away and disappears into the resort town. A child coping with the loss of her father clings to an imaginary friend who becomes all too real. These tales and more, from an "unarguably gifted" writer of "great talent" [SP Reviews], make Dust of the Universe a reading experience brimming with exultant and devastating emotions that only family can bring.