“A bountiful smorgasbord of classic and lesser known stories by accomplished Kentucky writers who provide a feast for readers of modern short fiction.” —Ann Charters, author of The Story and Its Writer
With an introduction by Wade Hall
Morris Grubbs has sifted through vintage classics, little-known gems, and stunning debuts to assemble this collection of forty stories by popular and critically acclaimed writers. In subtle and profound ways, they challenge and overturn accepted stereotypes about the land their authors call home, whether by birth or by choice. Kentucky writers have produced some of the finest short stories published in the last fifty years, much of which focuses on the tension between the comforts of community and the siren-like lure of the outside world. Arranged chronologically, from Robert Penn Warren’s “Blackberry Winter” to Crystal E. Wilkinson’s “Humming Back Yesterday,” these stories are linked by their juxtaposition of departures and returns, the familiar and the unknown, home and beyond.
“The story of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is told and retold by a mixed but balanced chorus of voices that sings like the wind down the ridges and along the creekbeds.” —Appalachian Journal
“Readers needn’t be from Kentucky to appreciate these stories . . . Prepare to be wowed by these superior examples of the form.” —The Bloomsbury Review
“From Robert Penn Warren to Bobbie Ann Mason, Kentucky hatches writers like other states create tourist traps.” —The Nashville Tennessean
“If you love Kentucky authors, this anthology of short stories is a must for your Kentucky collection.” —Bourbon Times

Charles E. May