Michael Farris Smith

Michael Farris Smith is an American novelist known for his literary fiction that often explores themes of struggle, redemption, and human nature against the backdrop of the American South. His works include seven published novels from 2011-2023, with notable titles like "Rivers," "Desperation Road," and "Nick," a prequel to The Great Gatsby. Born and raised in Mississippi to a Southern Baptist minister, Smith's writing career began after spending time abroad in Switzerland and France. His academic background includes degrees from Mississippi State University, William Carey College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Smith held teaching positions at Auburn University and Mississippi University for Women as an associate professor of English. His novel "Nick" gained particular attention for its exploration of Nick Carraway's life before the events of The Great Gatsby. Smith's writing style is characterized by intense character studies and atmospheric Southern settings, with his work appearing in various publications and earning recognition in literary circles. His most recent novel, "Salvage This World," was released in 2023.

Readers describe Smith's writing as atmospheric and gritty, particularly in depicting Southern settings. Many note his unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects and damaged characters. Readers appreciate: - Stark, economical prose style - Deep character development - Authentic Southern dialogue - Building tension and dread - Heavy themes handled without melodrama Common criticisms: - Plots can move slowly - Some find the tone relentlessly bleak - Characters' choices frustrate some readers - Endings leave questions unresolved Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 across all books The Fighter: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Blackwood: 3.7/5 (1,900+ ratings) Nick: 3.6/5 (4,100+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Raw and haunting but hard to look away" - Goodreads review "Beautiful writing but exhaustingly dark" - Amazon review "Characters feel real but make maddening decisions" - LibraryThing review

Nick (2021) Explores Nick Carraway's backstory before The Great Gatsby, following his experiences in World War I and time in New Orleans.

Rivers (2013) Set in a storm-ravaged Mississippi where hurricanes never cease, following a man who must venture into the chaos to save a mysterious woman and her daughter.

Desperation Road (2017) Chronicles the intersection of an ex-convict and a homeless woman with her daughter in Mississippi as they face threats from their respective pasts.

The Fighter (2018) Depicts a bare-knuckle cage fighter in the Mississippi Delta struggling with brain injury and searching for redemption.

Blackwood (2020) Follows parallel narratives of a drifter and a struggling family in a small Southern town connected by an abandoned property filled with kudzu.

The Hands of Strangers (2011) Centers on American parents searching for their missing daughter in Paris.

Salvage This World (2023) Set during apocalyptic weather in the Deep South, following a father's quest to protect his family amid environmental and social collapse.

William Gay writes dark Southern Gothic fiction with similar psychological depth and rural noir elements. His novels like "Twilight" and "The Long Home" share Smith's intense character focus and exploration of moral complexity in the American South.

Ron Rash crafts stories set in Appalachia with comparable attention to landscape and human struggle. His work demonstrates the same commitment to exploring damaged characters and difficult choices, particularly in novels like "Serena" and "The World Made Straight."

Larry Brown portrays working-class Southern life and characters with raw emotional honesty. His fiction shares Smith's unflinching approach to hardship and redemption, especially evident in works like "Joe" and "Father and Son."

Donald Ray Pollock examines rural American life through characters facing extreme circumstances and moral challenges. His novels "The Devil All the Time" and "Knockemstiff" parallel Smith's interest in desperate characters and psychological intensity.

Tom Franklin writes about the modern South with similar attention to violence, redemption, and complex human relationships. His novels "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" and "Hell at the Breech" mirror Smith's focus on character-driven narratives in Southern settings.