Fortune Smiles

Fortune Smiles is a collection of six short stories by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson, published in 2015. The stories span multiple continents and perspectives, exploring themes from technology and loss to moral complexity and survival. Each narrative centers on characters facing profound personal challenges or ethical dilemmas. The settings range from contemporary Silicon Valley and post-Katrina Louisiana to North Korea and East Germany, creating distinct worlds that serve as backdrops for human struggle. The stories vary significantly in length and tackle different genres, from near-future science fiction to historical fiction. Several pieces in the collection have garnered individual recognition and awards, appearing in prestigious publications like Esquire, Harper's Magazine, and Tin House. Through these diverse narratives, Johnson examines how individuals navigate trauma, identity, and connection in an increasingly complex world. The collection demonstrates the impact of larger historical and social forces on personal lives, while exploring the boundaries between right and wrong, truth and deception.

Readers describe this short story collection as emotionally intense and challenging, with dark themes and complex moral situations. The stories leave many feeling unsettled. Readers appreciate: - The depth of research and technical details - The unique perspectives on North Korea and East Germany - The precision of the writing - The blend of humor with serious topics Common criticisms: - Stories feel too bleak and depressing - Characters can be difficult to connect with - Some narratives meander without clear resolution - Length of stories (many found them too long) Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes the stories require "emotional stamina." Several reviewers mentioned putting the book down between stories to process their impact. Multiple readers called out "Nirvana" as their favorite story while finding "Dark Meadow" the most disturbing.

The Tenth of December by George Saunders Characters navigate moral complexities and personal transformation through stories that blend realism with speculative elements, moving between dark situations and human connection.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver Raw, minimalist stories examine broken relationships and everyday struggles of characters seeking meaning in a harsh world.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri Stories cross cultural boundaries and continents, focusing on characters who face displacement, loss, and the search for belonging.

The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers The narrative follows soldiers and civilians impacted by war, exploring trauma and moral ambiguity in contemporary conflict zones.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell Connected narratives span different time periods and genres, examining how individual lives intersect across history while questioning technology and power structures.

• The book won the 2015 National Book Award for Fiction and the Story Prize, making it one of the most acclaimed short story collections of that year. • Before becoming a writer, Johnson worked as a carpenter in Arizona and taught creative writing in San Francisco's Pelican Bay State Prison. • The story "George Orwell Was a Friend of Mine" was inspired by real-life interviews with former East German prison wardens who denied knowledge of torture in their facilities. • Johnson spent extensive time in North Korea researching for his previous novel "The Orphan Master's Son," which influenced his portrayal of Korean culture in this collection. • The title story "Fortune Smiles" features two North Korean defectors navigating life in Seoul, and was expanded from a shorter piece originally published in Esquire magazine.