In Pastoralia elements of contemporary life are twisted, merged and amplified into a slightly skewed version of modern America. A couple live and work in a caveman themepark, where speaking is an instantly punishable offence. A born loser attends a self-help seminar where he is encouraged to rid himself of all the people who are 'crapping in your oatmeal'. And a male exotic dancer and his family are terrorised by their decomposing aunt who visits them with a solcmn message from beyond the grave. With an uncanny combination of deadpan naturalism and uproarious humour, George Saunders creates a world that is both indelibly original and yet hauntingly familiar...

Author Biography

George Saunders is the author of CIVILWARLAND IN BAD DECLINE, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award and a NEW YORK TIMES Notable Book of the year. He teaches Creative Writing at Syracuse University.