Barry Hannah's distinctive voice captured the raw, often brutal, realities of the American South with a linguistic inventiveness that challenged conventional narrative. His stories delve into themes of loss, violence, and the desperate search for meaning in a fractured world. Hannah masterfully blended dark humor, profound melancholy, and unflinching authenticity to craft unforgettable characters and visceral narratives. His unique literary style and deep understanding of the human condition cement his status as a vital force in modern American literature.
Featuring a blend of the author's finest works, this collection includes selections from four previous story collections alongside four new stories from his final manuscript and an early, previously unpublished story. It showcases the author's unique narrative style and thematic depth, offering readers a comprehensive look at his literary evolution and creative legacy.
Stories of America's underbelly include tales of voyeurs, killers, and lovers desperate for a sanctuary beyond good and evil
Now considered a contemporary classic, Airships was honored by Esquire magazine with the Arnold Gingrich Short Fiction Award. The twenty stories in this collection are a fresh, exuberant celebration of the new American South — a land of high school band contests, where good old boys from Vicksurg are reunited in Vietnam and petty nostalgia and the constant pain of disappointed love prevail. Airships is a striking demonstration of Barry Hannah's mature and original talent.
The novel presents a vibrant bildungsroman centered around an unconventional hero, exploring themes of love, desire, and the complexities of life. Barry Hannah's masterful prose captures a blend of humor and emotional depth, showcasing the protagonist's journey through a landscape of lunacy and tenderness. With its unique voice and engaging narrative, the story highlights the struggles and triumphs that define the human experience.
Nominated for the American Book Award, Ray is the bizarre, hilarious, and consistently adventurous story of a life on the edge. Dr. Ray--a womanizer, small-town drunk, vigilante, poet, adoring husband--is a man trying to make sense of life in the twentieth century. In flight from the death he dealt flying over Vietnam, Dr. Ray struggles with those bound to him by need, sickness, lunacy, by blood and by love.
Set against the backdrop of an orphans' camp, the story begins with the haunting discovery of an abandoned car containing two skeletons. Through vivid storytelling, the author captures the complexities of life in the American South, exploring themes of loss, identity, and resilience. This novel not only delves into the lives of its characters but also solidifies the author's reputation as a significant voice in contemporary American literature.
Barry Hannah, a significant figure in modern American literature, is renowned for his mastery of short fiction, showcasing a distinctive style characterized by bold language, vivid metaphors, and deeply flawed characters. Over nearly three decades, he published eight novels and four short story collections, often emphasizing fragmented narratives rather than conventional plots. His approach reflects a commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience through lyrical and evocative storytelling.
Vuole squarciare le cose e vederne uscire il sangue è stato detto di Barry Hannah. E non c'è dubbio che questi venti racconti siano altrettanti squarci sanguinanti nel corpo vivo di un'America molto lontana da New York e dalla California: il profondo Sud, dove il popolo degli Stati Uniti conserva come in una solida cassaforte alcuni dei suoi difetti peggiori e più antichi. E infatti quello che fuoriesce dagli squarci di Hannah è un mondo di uomini che si dicono comuni, e che in realtà sono vigliacchi, selvaggi, meschini, mai all'altezza delle proprie ambizioni, sempre incerti del proprio sesso, dei propri desideri, delle proprie passioni, ansiosi di raggiungere la felicità sotto gli occhi dei propri simili e preferibilmente alla faccia loro. E tra gli uomini comuni di tal fatta, quale destino potrà mai spettare agli altri: alle donne, ai negri, agli indiani, ai pochi uomini non comuni? Un grottesco senza misura, un cinismo sofferente, un'ironia che resiste coraggiosamente ai più incredibili orrori umani: il capolavoro di uno scrittore tutto da scoprire, un classico moderno nella letteratura degli Stati Uniti.
