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The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake

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'The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake' is a collection of short stories that delve into the dark corners of West Virginia, exploring themes of life, death, and the human condition. Through his spare and unblinking prose, Breece D'J Pancake paints a vivid picture of rural Appalachia, capturing the struggles and complexities of his characters with raw authenticity. The stories vary in subject matter, from encounters with old loves to reflections on war and mortality, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they have finished the book.

Characters:

The characters are intricate, troubled individuals often portrayed with stark realism, grappling with deep emotional and existential challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing showcases clear, polished prose with poetic elements, demonstrating a keen sensitivity to the characters and their environments.

Plot/Storyline:

The narratives explore challenging and sorrowful lives in rural West Virginia, highlighting struggles with despair and a lack of hope for the future.

Setting:

Set in rural West Virginia, the environment is characterized by stark landscapes that reflect the bleakness and struggles within the characters' lives.

Pacing:

The pacing of the stories tends to be slow and contemplative, necessitating careful attention from readers.
I think you should come over (drive or train, I’ll pay your expenses and “put you up”) because if you do the preface I feel you should be more familiar with this valley and [my son] Breece’s surroundi...

Notes:

Breece D'J Pancake was a young writer from West Virginia who committed suicide at the age of 26 in 1979.
He published only six short stories in his lifetime, which have gained a reputation over the years for their authenticity.
Pancake's writing is noted for its realism, with characters that reflect the struggles and bleakness of life in rural West Virginia.
He was compared to literary greats like Hemingway and Faulkner, highlighting his talent.
His unique name came from a typographical error, which he decided to keep as his pen name.
The stories often explore themes of hopelessness and despair, reflecting the author's own struggles with life.
Many readers find the writing beautiful and poignant, though the stories themselves can be quite dark.
Pancake had a background in creative writing from Marshall University and the University of Virginia, where he refined his craft.
Despite his limited body of work, his writing had a profound impact, with many considering it to be a lost opportunity for greatness had he lived longer.
He wrote about characters who lived lives marked by hard labor, addiction, and emotional turmoil, often set against the backdrop of the Appalachian landscape.
His works have been described as a microcosm of Appalachian life, capturing both the beauty and the sorrow of that region.
Several authors have contributed introductions and afterwords to his work, revealing insights into his character and writing process.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of suicide, alcoholism, mental health struggles, and depictions of violence, which are prevalent throughout the stories.

From The Publisher:

A collection of short stories that memorably capture American life in rural Appalachia by Breece D'J Pancake, the brilliant writer praised by Joyce Carol Oates as "a young writer of such extraordinary gifts that one is tempted to compare his debut to Hemingway's."

Breece D'J Pancake cut short a promising career when he took his own life at the age twenty-six. Published posthumously, this is a collection of stories that depict the world of Pancake's native rural West Virginia with astonishing power and grace.

"Breece D'J Pancake's is an exceptional voice: gritty, mordant, invested with the texture of stroked reality, urgent, and haunting." -Margaret Atwood

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