Father Brother Keeper

“This moving debut collection examines complicated family relationships in the rural American South . . . Rich with symbolism and rhythmic prose” (Publishers Weekly).
 
A Winner of the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, this story collection set in rural Georgia investigates small moments that illuminate life-altering struggles: a man slipping into dementia is abandoned at a diner with his granddaughters; a farmer’s son discovers his love of carving wooden birds but buries his creations in shame; bait dogs are left to die, chained in the woods, when they grow too old to fight.
 
“Somber, beautifully wrought and closely observed, these 12 stories raise more questions than answers, leave out more than they say. As the title suggests, the characters’ lives are steeped in familial conflicts that test their faith in and love for each other.” —TheAtlanta Journal-Constitution
 
“Father Brother Keeper is marvelous. To read the work of Nathan Poole is to discover an immense, beautiful secret, rich with private histories and the rhythms of our complex, haunted world. These are stories to cherish, a debut to celebrate.” —Paul Yoon, author of the Mountain: Stories
 
“This is an impressively talented writer who belongs in the good company of Ron Rash and Philip Meyer.” —Benjamin Percy, author of Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction
 
“Heartfelt, lyrical, and moving, these stories make you feel the texture of your life alter while you’re immersed in them. This remarkable book announces the arrival of a brilliant young writer.” —Robert Boswell, author of The Half-Known World: On Writing Fiction