When I first pick up a George Saunders book I find myself a little disoriented... but I invest a little trust, a little patience, and the payoff is well worth it. In his Booker Award winning novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" I stopped short and started up again, not sure I was following things. Once I got the hang of it I was amazed--- it is one of my favorite books. In "Tenth of December," an earlier collection of his, it was jarring to finish one story and then transition into a completely different world, with dissimilar voices and alternate versions of reality. This can be true of any anthology, of course, but Saunders' selections are so diverse and independent of one another.
"Liberation Day: Stories" is his latest collection. He once again shows why many consider him to be the finest short story writer practicing today. The imagination, creativity and dark humor are driving while questions are posed about our behavior. Personal freedoms are looked at in stories such as "Liberation Day," where three characters are attached to a wall and obligated to perform for a wealthy man and his friends. In "Elliot Spencer" we see a man being brainwashed and cleansed of his memory so that he may serve in the employ of a political group. "Ghoul" examines Hellish underground amusement park workers who may or may not have been told the truth about their fate. In Saunders' most overtly political story, "Love Letter," a elderly man explains to his son how democracy lost so many freedoms when it did not take "clownish leaders" seriously.
Not every story here is political or sci-fi / fantasy. In "Mom of Bold Action" we are in the mind of a mother out to seek vengeance for a relatively minor attack on her young son. She goads her husband into exacting retribution on a possible suspect. She feels bad about the consequences for the man in question... but her guilt has its limits. In "Mother's Day" there is a showdown in a hailstorm between two women, long time rivals, who have only ever seen the other as undeserving of the man they both loved.
Every story here is a gem, every tale thought-provoking and entertaining. Highly recommended reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Liberation Day: Stories" is his latest collection. He once again shows why many consider him to be the finest short story writer practicing today. The imagination, creativity and dark humor are driving while questions are posed about our behavior. Personal freedoms are looked at in stories such as "Liberation Day," where three characters are attached to a wall and obligated to perform for a wealthy man and his friends. In "Elliot Spencer" we see a man being brainwashed and cleansed of his memory so that he may serve in the employ of a political group. "Ghoul" examines Hellish underground amusement park workers who may or may not have been told the truth about their fate. In Saunders' most overtly political story, "Love Letter," a elderly man explains to his son how democracy lost so many freedoms when it did not take "clownish leaders" seriously.
Not every story here is political or sci-fi / fantasy. In "Mom of Bold Action" we are in the mind of a mother out to seek vengeance for a relatively minor attack on her young son. She goads her husband into exacting retribution on a possible suspect. She feels bad about the consequences for the man in question... but her guilt has its limits. In "Mother's Day" there is a showdown in a hailstorm between two women, long time rivals, who have only ever seen the other as undeserving of the man they both loved.
Every story here is a gem, every tale thought-provoking and entertaining. Highly recommended reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
