'Groff has a gift for capturing human nature and the compulsions that drive us.' FINANCIAL
TIMES 'You'll walk away feeling more connected to other people and with more compassion for
yourself.' HARPER'S BAZAAR 'Groff reminds us of the myriad human galaxies around us
spinning off brightly into the dark.' MELISSA HARRISON author of All Among the Barley One
of our best writers Lauren Groff returns with a fierce new story collection her first since
the award-winning and bestselling Florida . Ranging from the 1950s to the present day and
moving across age class and region - from New England to Florida to California - these nine
stories reflect and expand upon a single shared theme: the ceaseless battle between the dark
and light in all of us. Among those caught in this match are a young woman suddenly
responsible for her disabled sibling a hot-tempered high school swimmer in need of an adult a
mother blinded by the loss of her family and a banking scion endowed with a different kind of
inheritance. Motivated by love impeded by human fallibility they try to do the right thing
for as long as they can. Precise surprising and provocative anchored by profound insight
into human nature Brawler reveals the repeated fracture points between love and fear
compassion and violence reason and instinct altruism and survival. It is a timeless stunning
achievement from one of the very best short story writers working today. Praise for Lauren
Groff "Her writing has a timeless quality" The Times on The Vaster Wilds "Groff's writing is
muscular and precise her themes wildly resonant" Sunday Times on Matrix "An audacious piece
of storytelling full of passion wisdom and magic" Sarah Waters on Matrix "It's as brightly
lit as an illuminated manuscript" Naomi Alderman on Matrix "One of its stories is a bracing
read together they form a masterpiece" Stylist on Florida "She's a writer whose turn of
phrase can stop you in your tracks" Financial Times on Florida "Easily the year's best story
collection" Vogue on Florida
