Monday, April 29th, 7PM
Books in Print: A Book Club discusses Lauren Groff’s short story collection DELICATE EDIBLE BIRDS
From Lauren Groff, author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling novel FATES AND FURIES, comes DELICATE EDIBLE BIRDS, one of the most striking short fiction debuts in years. Here are nine stories of astonishing insight and variety, each revealing a resonant drama within the life of a twentieth-century American woman. In some of these stories, enormous changes happen in an instant. In others, transformations occur across a lifetime–or several lifetimes. Throughout the collection, Groff displays particular and vivid preoccupations. Crime is a motif–sex crimes, a possible murder, crimes of the heart. Love troubles recur; they’re in every story–love in alcoholism, in adultery, in a flood, even in the great flu epidemic of 1918. Some of the love has depths, which are understood too late; some of the love is shallow, and also understood too late. And mastery is a theme–Groff’s women swim and baton twirl, become poets, or try and try again to achieve the inner strength to exercise personal freedom. Overall, these stories announce a notable new literary master. Dazzlingly original and confident, DELICATE EDIBLE BIRDS further solidifies Groff’s reputation as one of the foremost talents of her generation.