Tenth of December

by George Saunders
Tenth of December cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Short Story Collections
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  • ID: 67
  • Added: 2025-08-30
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781408894811
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2017-11-02
  • Formats: 33
  • Reviews: 4

Tenth of December is a prize-winning, New York Times bestselling short story collection by George Saunders, known for his darkly surreal and humorous explorations of human nature. The stories in this collection delve into the troubling preoccupations of various characters, from a family member recalling a backyard pole dressed for all occasions to Jeff facing horrifying ultimatums in unusual drug trials. Saunders' writing is celebrated for its unique blend of wit and disturbing visions, making this collection a standout in contemporary literature. The collection has been praised for its astonishing charm and intensity, with stories that riff against the ghosts of the past and the ever-settling present. Saunders' ability to capture the essence of human experience in a failing America makes Tenth of December a compelling read. The book has won the 2014 Folio Prize and was shortlisted for the National Book Award in 2013, solidifying its place as a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

Reviews
The Bibliophage · 2017-11-08
intriguing 4.25

These stories are wry, insightful, and sometimes slightly disturbing, which is exactly what makes them compelling. They offer a unique blend of humor and darkness.

The stories in this collection are wry, insightful, and sometimes slightly disturbing, which is exactly what makes them so compelling. They offer a unique blend of humor and darkness, making them both thought-provoking and entertaining. The author's ability to tackle complex themes with a light touch is impressive, and the stories often leave a lasting impression. The collection is a testament to the author's skill in blending the absurd with the profound.

Quick quotes

    These stories are wry, insightful, and some are slightly disturbing.

    And that's just what I look for in a collection.

    Primarily written from a perspective that is both humorous and dark.

Pixelated Geek · 2016-09-01
thoughtful 4.00

The collection explores life’s randomness, cruelty, and the small-mindedness people develop through hardship, yet it also offers hope through human resilience and moments of kindness. Saunders presents a bleak but honest worldview tempered by uplifting truths about human nature.

The reviewer highlights how Saunders’ stories reveal the harsh realities of life—the randomness of suffering, the chemical basis of emotions, and the frequent absence of justice or reward for effort. Despite this, the narratives are not without hope; the same forces that make life difficult also allow for kindness, bravery, and connection. This duality is most evident in the strongest stories of the collection, including the title story, which the reviewer finds especially poignant and uplifting. Saunders’ work is appreciated for its honest, unflinching examination of human experience combined with an undercurrent of optimism.

Quick quotes

    life is random and cruel, emotions are based on chemicals and hormones

    the drudgery of everyday life turns people small-minded and awful

    What makes all of this terrible is the same thing that gives any hope: because people still

Sydney Review of Books · 2013-11-11
powerful 4.75

The reviewer praises Saunders' astoundingly tuned voice and the emotional depth of his characters. They find the collection to be a powerful exploration of human struggles.

This reviewer is particularly impressed by Saunders' distinctive voice, which they describe as astoundingly tuned. They highlight the emotional depth of the characters, who are often struggling and under-educated, making their stories all the more compelling. The reviewer finds the collection to be a powerful exploration of human struggles, with each story offering a unique perspective on the human condition. They appreciate Saunders' ability to create characters that are both relatable and deeply flawed, making the stories resonate on a personal level.

Quick quotes

    Saunders has what Thomas Pynchon calls 'an astoundingly tuned voice'.

    His characters, for the most part struggling, under-educated people who ...

    The collection is a powerful exploration of human struggles.

Goodreads · 2013-02-28
insightful 4.50

Saunders’ stories delve deeply into themes of imagination, memory, loss, morality, and the human condition, portraying complex characters facing profound challenges. His writing insightfully explores what it means to be good and human in contemporary life.

The review praises Saunders for his brilliant and profound writing that tackles big questions about class, sex, love, loss, despair, and war through unforgettable characters. The stories challenge readers to consider morality and humanity’s fault lines, making the collection not only emotionally moving but intellectually stimulating. The title story is noted for its meditation on imagination and loss, providing a powerful centerpiece to the collection. Overall, Saunders is recognized for his ability to capture the core of contemporary human experience with both depth and empathy.

Quick quotes

    a stunning meditation on imagination, memory, and loss

    writing brilliantly and profoundly about class, sex, love, loss, work, despair, and war

    these stories take on the big questions and explore the fault lines of our own morality

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