Peter Orner crafts narratives that delve into the profound complexities of human emotion and interpersonal dynamics. His distinctive literary style, often described as epic, explores resonant themes of love, shame, and the search for self. Orner's work is marked by its authentic voice, drawing from lived experience to create deeply relatable stories. He excels at weaving intricate plots that capture the universal aspects of the human condition.
In a time when history is told in cheap television reenactments, if at all,
and personal tragedy is gobbled up in rapidly digestible magazine photos and
reality shows, this project goes against the grain. - Guardian Bold and
heartbreaking. - Miami SunPost Average news-watchers who think they have a
grasp on the immigration debate may well find these stories, speaking for
millions of invisible American residents, no less than revelatory. -
Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
Recognized for its excellence in essay writing, this book offers a compelling exploration of various themes through a series of thought-provoking essays. The author delves into personal experiences, cultural reflections, and societal observations, weaving a narrative that invites readers to engage deeply with the content. The longlisting for a prestigious award highlights its significance and the quality of its prose, making it a noteworthy contribution to contemporary literature.
Exploring the act of writing in diverse settings, Orner reflects on his experiences and the influence of various literary figures. His meditative prose intertwines personal memoir with the legacies of writers like Babel and Hurston, who faced oppression, and Kafka, who navigated loneliness. The narrative also touches on Walser's life in an asylum and Rulfo's mastery of silence. This blend of introspection and literary homage creates a unique tapestry of thoughts on creativity, isolation, and the power of storytelling.
In this powerful and virtuosic collection of interlocking stories, each one "a marvel of concision and compassion" (Washington Post), Peter Orner, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and "master of his form" (New York Times), takes the short story to new heights. Through forty-four compressed gems, Peter Orner, a writer who "doesn't simply bring his characters to life, he gives them souls" (NYT Book Review), chronicles people whose lives are at inflection points, gripping us with a series of defining moments. Whether it's a first date that turns into a late-night road trip to a séance in an abandoned airplane hangar, or a family's memories of the painful mystery surrounding a forgotten uncle's demise, Orner reveals how our fleeting decisions between kindness and abandonment chase us across time. These stories are anchored by a poignant novella that delivers not only the joys and travails of a forty-year marriage, but an entire era in a working-class New England city. Bristling with the crackling energy of life itself, Maggie Brown & Others marks the most sustained achievement to date for "a master of his form" (New York Times). - A New York Times Notable Book- Longlisted for the Simpson/Joyce Carol Oates Prize- An Oprah Magazine Best Book of 2019- Kirkus "Best Short Fiction of 2019"
