A family watches in horror as their patriarch transforms into the singing, wise-cracking lead of an old-timey minstrel show. A renowned art collector relishes publicly destroying his most valuable pieces. Two boys stand by helplessly as their father stages an all-consuming war on the raccoons living in the woods around their house. A young artist devotes himself to a wealthy, malicious gossip, knowing that it's just a matter of time before she turns on him.
In this new collection of short stories, acclaimed author Paul Theroux explores the tenuous leadership of the elite and the surprising revenge of the overlooked. He shows us humanity possessed, consumed by its own desire and compulsion, always with his carefully honed eye for detail and the subtle idiosyncrasies that bring his characters to life. Searing, dark, and sure to unsettle, Mr. Bones is a stunning new display of Paul Theroux's "fluent, faintly sinister powers of vision and imagination" (John Updike, The New Yorker).
"Starred Review. A versatile, prolific author asserts his preeminence in short fiction with an unassuming brilliance that almost makes you think stories will become popular again." - Kirkus
"Notes of Theroux's famed travel writing... The final product is a hefty, remarkably diverse batch of stories colored by Theroux's prolific taste for exploration." - Publishers Weekly
"Rich in the details of exotic places... all are highly entertaining... This excellent new collection allows readers to sample an array of Theroux's most entertaining fiction in short story form; highly recommended." - Library Journal
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Paul Theroux is the author of many highly acclaimed books. His novels include The Bad Angel Brothers, The Lower River, Jungle Lovers, and The Mosquito Coast, and his renowned travel books include Ghost Train to the Eastern Star and Dark Star Safari. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.
Author Interview
Link to Paul Theroux's Website
Name Pronunciation
Paul Theroux: Thor-ew (which, incidentally, is different to Henry Thoreau which is pronounced like 'thorough')
It was one of the worst speeches I ever heard ... when a simple apology was all that was required.
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