About the book, from Tin House:

“Set in a Native community in Maine, Night of the Living Rez is a riveting debut collection about what it means to be Penobscot in the twenty-first century and what it means to live, to survive, and to persevere after tragedy.

In twelve striking, luminescent stories, author Morgan Talty—with searing humor, abiding compassion, and deep insight—breathes life into tales of family and a community as they struggle with a painful past and an uncertain future. A boy unearths a jar that holds an old curse, which sets into motion his family’s unraveling; a man, while trying to swindle some pot from a dealer, discovers a friend passed out in the woods, his hair frozen into the snow; a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s projects the past onto her grandson; and two friends, inspired by Antiques Roadshow, attempt to rob the tribal museum for valuable root clubs. 

A collection that examines the consequences and merits of inheritance, Night of the Living Rez is an unforgettable portrayal of an Indigenous community and marks the arrival of a standout talent in contemporary fiction.”

About the Author, Morgan Talty:

“Morgan Talty, a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, is the author of the national bestselling and critically acclaimed story collection Night of the Living Rez from Tin House Books, which won the New England Book Award, was a Finalist for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers, and is a Finalist for the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. His writing has appeared in Granta, The Georgia Review, Shenandoah, TriQuarterly, Narrative Magazine, LitHub, and elsewhere. A winner of the 2021 Narrative Prize, Talty’s work has been supported by the Elizabeth George Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts (2022). Talty is an Assistant Professor of English in Creative Writing and Native American and contemporary Literature at the University of Maine, Orono, and he is on the faculty at the Stonecoast MFA in creative writing as well as the Institute of American Indian Arts. Talty is also a Prose Editor at The Massachusetts Review. He lives in Levant, Maine.”

Why I selected Night of the Living Rez for the November 2023 Giveaway:

• This gnome loved how the short stories in this collection were interconnected! Each story moves through different parts of time, all circling around one main character and the people who orbit him.
• Although this book is very character-driven (which can sometimes make for a slower read), it is fast and propulsive. Talty’s writing is full of vivid imagery and beautifully striking descriptions of people and places. These stories pull you right into life on the reservation in Maine, and it’s a difficult book to put down.
• You might notice that I am continuing to select books with winter-themed settings! If you’re in the mood for cold weather (and honestly, who in the desert isn’t?!?!), this book will definitely toss you into the frigid chill of the cold Maine winter – right from the beginning.
• Finally, this collection is especially perfect for this month as we reflect on the injustices committed against indigenous communities and pay tribute to the ancestry and traditions of these communities during Native American Heritage Month.

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