ONE OF PEOPLE 'S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2026 A stunning fierce collection from a master of
the short story and one of the most important writers of our time Read alone each story in
Lauren Groff’s electric collection is an individual triumph bold agile and packed with
power. Read together they hum in exhilarating resonance. 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 shared theme: the ceaseless battle between humans’
dark and light angels. “In every human there is both an animal and a god wrestling unto death
“ one character tells us. Among those we see 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 the double edges of other peoples’ good intentions
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 sometimes
heartbreaking turning points between love and fear compassion and violence reason and
instinct altruism and what it takes to survive.
