A 115-year-old man lays on his deathbed as the 2016 US election results arrive, and revisits his life in this moving story of love, fatherhood, and the American century from Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler...
Robert Olen Butler Book order
January 20, 1945
Robert Olen Butler is an acclaimed American author whose works are characterized by a deep exploration of the human psyche, often delving into themes of identity and experience. His writing style is described as fluid and evocative, drawing readers intimately into the inner lives of his characters. Butler's mastery in rendering complex emotions and thoughts has cemented his reputation as a leading contemporary American fiction writer. His literary significance lies in his unique perspective on the human condition and his skillful command of language, making his books profoundly resonant.
- 2021
- 2018
Autumn 1915. The First World War is raging across Europe. Christopher Marlowe 'Kit' Cobb, a Chicago reporter and undercover agent for the US government, is in Paris when he meets an enigmatic nurse called Louise. Officially in the city for a story about American ambulance drivers, Cobb is grateful for the opportunity to get to know her. Soon his intelligence handler, James Polk Trask, extends his mission and he is active again. Parisians are meeting 'death by dynamite' in a new campaign of bombings, and the German-speaking Kit seems just the man to discover who is behind this.
- 2017
Perfume River
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Exploring family dynamics and the impact of the Vietnam War, this novel offers a poignant look at a North Florida family's experiences and relationships. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author delves into the complexities of heritage and memory, weaving a rich narrative that reflects on love, loss, and the enduring effects of conflict. Through its characters, the story reveals the intricate connections that shape their lives amidst the backdrop of historical trauma.
- 2016
Perfume River. Ucorrected Proof
- 273 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Robert Quinlan is a seventy-year-old historian, teaching at Florida State University, where his wife Darla is also tenured. Their life is a picture of domestic industry: cups of freshly ground coffee fuel Robert?s research and writing during the days, while in the evenings the conversation flows freely over home-cooked dinner and wine. The marriage is a happy enough one, but Robert?s relationship with his father, a veteran of World War II, is strained. William is coming to the end of his life, but reconciliation with his other son Jimmy, whose path diverged from the rest of the family at the outbreak of the Vietnam War, does not seem close at hand. When Robert meets a homeless man whom he takes to be a Vietnam veteran, the past is set to suffuse the present, and the enduring legacy of war on these characters revealed. Profound and poignant, Perfume River is a portrait of family, personal choice, and how war resonates through the American experience.
- 2015
The Empire of Night
- 416 pages
- 15 hours of reading
The thrilling third installment of the Christopher Marlowe Cobb series sees Kit uncovering a covert scheme to weaponize Zeppelins, posing a significant threat to the war effort. As he navigates this dangerous revelation, the stakes are raised, and the potential for a shift in power dynamics in favor of Germany looms large, setting the stage for an intense confrontation.
- 2014
The Star of Istanbul
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of World War I, the story follows foreign correspondent "Kit" Cobb as he navigates intrigue aboard the Lusitania. Tasked with tracking a German agent, Cobb becomes entangled with Selene Bourgani, a captivating actress with ties to German Intelligence. As he delves deeper into her secrets, the stakes escalate, leading him through London's dangerous streets to the volatile environment of Istanbul. Isolated and facing peril, Cobb must confront the truth that could ignite the war further.
- 2013
The book features a captivating excerpt from "The Star of Istanbul," offering readers a glimpse into its rich narrative and vibrant characters. Set against a backdrop of intrigue and historical significance, it explores themes of adventure, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The author weaves a compelling story that invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of the characters, promising a blend of excitement and emotional depth that will resonate long after reading.
- 2012
A Small Hotel
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Exploring the complexities of a disintegrating relationship over two decades, this novel delves into the emotional intricacies and challenges faced by the characters. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author, known for tackling diverse themes, presents a poignant narrative that captures the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time. Recognized by "O Magazine" as a must-read, this work promises to resonate deeply with readers through its intimate portrayal of human connections.
- 2012
Hell
- 240 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The new novel by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain" is set in the underworld. Its main character, Hatcher McCord, is an evening-news presenter who has found himself in Hell and is struggling to explain his bad fortune.
- 2008
Intercourse
- 216 pages
- 8 hours of reading
A collection of short fiction by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author offers a revealing look at what goes through a person's mind during sex as he captures the innermost thoughts of such couples as Bonnie and Clyde, Adam and Eve, and Richard Milhous Nixon and Pat Nixon.
