Short People
Short People by Joshua Furst, published by National Geographic Books on November 9, 2004, is a debut collection of ten short stories that delves into the complexities of childhood. This 224-page book presents a nuanced exploration of American youth, capturing both the perils and paradoxes they face. Furst’s writing offers a rare and unsentimental look at the lives of children, showcasing their diverse experiences and emotional landscapes.
Readers will find a range of narratives that highlight the stark contrasts in childhood experiences, such as the differing perspectives of two boys in “The Age of Exploration” and the poignant dynamics of family in “Red Lobster.” The collection culminates in “Failure to Thrive,” where a maternity ward nurse’s compassion leads to unexpected consequences. Through these stories, Furst provides a thought-provoking examination of youth, making this collection a significant contribution to contemporary fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
James Michener Fellowship winner Joshua Furst’s widely acclaimed debut collection explores the perils and paradoxes of childhood in ten harrowing, moving, and surprising stories, offering a rare and unsentimental depiction of the lives of American youth.
In “The Age of Exploration,” two boys experience the world so differently–Billy through science; Jason with fantastical powers of imagination–that they sense their lives will stray irrevocably away from each other. In “Red Lobster,” which won the Nelson Algren Award, a gaggle of children try to please the father who has rounded them up from their various homes to take them to a fateful dinner. And in the collection’s climactic story, “Failure to Thrive,” a maternity ward nurse takes compassion too far. Emotionally astute, brilliantly written, these stories mark the arrival of a powerful new voice in American literature.
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