Jean Thompson, heralded as “America’s Alice Munro…one of the best contemporary short-story writers” by Kirkus, delivers twelve exquisite new stories that combine her beloved trademarks of dark humor, seductively sharp wit, and uncanny observations on human nature. Do Not Deny Me is a fictional primer on how Americans live day to day: Thompson’s characters—a middle manager in the midst of midlife crisis, an urban single visiting her best friend turned suburban mother, a grieving woman looking for guidance—are instantly recognizable in their predicaments, foibles, and sensibilities.
A brilliantly wrought exploration of the myriad circumstances that Americans are experiencing right now, this superlative collection perfectly captures the joys and amusements, trials and sorrows of its fictional inhabitants. Do Not Deny Me should be savored, word by word.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jean Thompson is the author of Throw Like a Girl as well as the novel City Boy; the short story collection Who Do You Love, a 1999 National Book Award finalist for fiction; and the novel Wide Blue Yonder, a New York Times Notable Book and Chicago Tribune Best Fiction selection for 2002. Her short fiction has been published in many magazines and journals, including The New Yorker, and been anthologized in the Best American Short Stories and Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses. Jean’s work has been praised by Elle as “bracing and wildly intelligent writing that explores the nature of love in all its hidden and manifest dimensions.”
Jean’s other books include the short story collections The Gasoline Wars and Little Face, and the novels My Wisdom and The Woman Driver. She has been the recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, among other accolades, and taught creative writing at the University of Illinois, Reed College, Northwestern University, and many other colleges and universities.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“If there are ‘Jean Thompson characters,’ they’re us, and never have we been so articulate and worthy of compassion. These stories confirm that no one is beneath her interest, or beyond her sure and seemingly limitless reach.”
—David Sedaris, author of When You Are Engulfed in Flames
“Her stories linger and seep into your dreams.”
—Bernard Cooper, author of The Bill from My Father
WHERE TO BUY:
Your local independent bookstore
Powell’s [buy new, even if used is available]
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
