Set in the small-town South, this collection of comic tales explores the humorous and poignant experiences of coming-of-age. Singleton's engaging storytelling captures the unique quirks of Southern life, blending nostalgia with wit. The characters navigate the challenges and triumphs of youth, offering a relatable and entertaining glimpse into their formative years. This new edition revitalizes these beloved stories, making them accessible to a new generation of readers.
The diverse residents of Gruel, South Carolina, navigate a tapestry of ambitions and absurdities in this collection of nineteen short stories. Young citizens face unexpected truths about their neighbors and encounter quirky challenges, while older townsfolk grapple with bizarre phenomena and unconventional relationships. Through humor and tragedy, Singleton's characters strive for meaning amid their eccentric lives, showcasing a blend of human folly and resilience. Each tale reveals the complexities of seeking glory, connection, and understanding in a small town.
Harp Spillman, a once-renowned metal sculptor, faces personal and professional turmoil due to his struggles with alcoholism. His attempt to pivot to ice sculpting nearly backfires, prompting a return to his roots in metalwork. With the support of his pragmatic wife, Raylou, he aims to create twelve-foot-high metal angels from hex nuts for Birmingham. As he navigates this journey, he encounters the Elbow Boys, who help him confront his demons, and a neighbor with a peculiar penchant for smuggling anteaters, all while questioning the nature of free will.
With his signature darkly acerbic and sharp-witted humor, George Singleton has built a reputation as one of the most astute and wise observers of the South. Now Tom Franklin introduces this master of the form with a compilation of acclaimed and prize-winning short fiction spanning twenty years and eight collections, including stories originally published in outlets like the Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, Playboy, the Georgia Review, the Southern Review, and many more. These stories bear the influence of Flannery O'Connor and Raymond Carver, at other times Barry Hannah and Donald Barthelme, and touch on the mysteries of childhood, the complexities of human relationships, and the absurdity of everyday life, with its inexorable defeats and small triumphs. Assembled here for the very first time, You Want More represents a body of work that showcases the incisive talent that earned George Singleton's place among "the great pillars of Southern literature." (New York Times)
The collection features relatable characters grappling with the absurdities of contemporary life. George Singleton's stories delve into the complexities of human experience, capturing the essence of familiar struggles and quirks. Each narrative invites readers to connect with the characters' journeys, reflecting the humor and challenges of navigating a bewildering world.
The book offers a series of quirky and unconventional explorations of small-town America, highlighting unique characters and charming locales. Each tour is infused with warmth, sincerity, and a touch of humor, showcasing the diverse stories and experiences that define these communities. Through engaging narratives, readers are invited to discover the rich tapestry of life in lesser-known places, celebrating the charm and individuality of small-town living.
In a quirky Southern town, a young professional snake handler named Novel grapples with writing his autobiography while uncovering a long-buried secret that could shake his community to its core. As he navigates the chaos of motel life, art forgery, and local eccentricities, he embodies a blend of humor and mischief characteristic of George Singleton's writing. This debut novel delivers a whirlwind of charm and wit, showcasing the absurdities of small-town life and the complexities of personal history.
This collection features a blend of brilliant and absurd short stories that showcase George Singleton's unique storytelling style. Drawing comparisons to renowned authors like George Saunders and Tom Franklin, the work promises to engage readers with its Southern charm and unexpected twists. Singleton's mastery of the short fiction form shines through, making this a must-read for those who appreciate inventive narratives and rich character development.