Tenth of December: Stories

Tenth of December is a collection of ten short stories published between 1995-2012, primarily in The New Yorker and Harper's Magazine. The collection won both The Story Prize and the Folio Prize, and was named one of the New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2013. The stories range from brief, experimental pieces to longer narratives exploring contemporary American life. Characters face moral decisions and personal struggles in settings that blend realism with elements of science fiction and satire. Each tale centers on ordinary people confronting extraordinary circumstances - from a suburban teenager witnessing a crime to a war veteran returning home to an experimental test subject in a futuristic facility. The collection examines themes of class division, moral courage, and human connection in modern society. Through alternating moments of darkness and hope, the stories probe questions about what drives people to act with cruelty or compassion.

Readers describe the stories as dark yet humorous explorations of morality and human nature. Many highlight Saunders' distinct voice and ability to blend absurdist elements with emotional depth. Readers appreciated: - Memorable, complex characters facing ethical dilemmas - Precise, experimental prose style - Balance of darkness and hope - Emotional impact of shorter stories like "Victory Lap" and "Tenth of December" Common criticisms: - Some stories feel too similar in tone - Experimental writing style can be hard to follow - Collection feels uneven; not all stories resonate equally - Too bleak or depressing for some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (78,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Reader quote: "These stories punch you in the gut while making you laugh" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "The writing style takes work to get into, but the payoff is worth it" - Amazon reviewer

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace Stories that dissect modern American masculinity and morality through experimental narrative structures and darkly comic situations.

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Tales set in near-future dystopian retail spaces and shopping malls explore racism, capitalism, and violence through a blend of realism and speculative fiction.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado Stories merge horror, science fiction, and realism to examine female embodiment and power dynamics in contemporary society.

Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh Characters navigate isolation and alienation in stories that reveal the dark undercurrents beneath ordinary American life.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver Minimalist stories capture the complexities of human relationships through precise observations of everyday moments and conversations.

🏆 The book won the inaugural Folio Prize in 2014, making George Saunders the first American author to receive this prestigious literary award 📚 Before becoming a writer, Saunders worked as a geophysical engineer in Indonesia, an experience that influenced his unique perspective on corporate culture and human behavior 🎯 The title story "Tenth of December" was inspired by a real news article about a terminally ill man who planned to commit suicide by freezing to death ✍️ Several stories from the collection first appeared in The New Yorker, where Saunders has published over 20 pieces since 1992 🎓 Saunders teaches creative writing at Syracuse University and developed the collection while balancing his academic career, often writing early in the morning before teaching classes