Bret Lott Bücher

Ein rasantes Familiendrama. Solche Helden gab's noch nie: Huger, ein fünfzehnjähriger Junge, wohnt mit seinem blinden Onkel in South Carolina, vierzig Meilen von der nächsten Stadt erntfernt. Alles, was seine Familie besitzt, ist ein Stück Land, das von einem Jagd-Club genutzt wird. Eines Tages wird dort die Leiche eines wohlhabenden Arztes gefunden mit - mit dem Hinweis, dessen Frau sei die Mörderin.§Huger und sein Onkel Leland ahnen, daß an der Geschichte so einiges nicht stimmt. Doch schon wenige Stunden nach dem Mord werden sie selbst zu Gejagten - weil Leland ein Geheimnis hat, daß er niemandem verraten will, nicht einmal Huger.

In this deeply affecting, beautifully crafted collection of short fiction, Bret Lott broadens his stylistic range, striking a surprisingly surreal tone with stark, hyperrealistic prose. As story after dazzling story deliberately takes you down a deceptively ordinary path, the arresting center of each startles your unsuspecting sensibility. Among the narrative gems is “Family,” in which a husband and wife bicker incessantly before realizing that their two children are missing, only to discover them in a surprising place–and in a disturbing condition. In “Everything Cut Will Come Back,” a long-distance phone call between two brothers takes a turn when their own tragic past crackles over the line. In “History,” a widow thinks she spots her son at the airport and is left instead with a simple memory of her late husband that resolves her grief. The innocence of three boys is lost when they witness a devastating winter tragedy in “The Train, the Lake, the Bridge.” Within these pages, adulterers are unceremoniously caught, epiphanies arrive during bizarre encounters, and characters move through everyday moments with a fortitude that elevates these stories almost to mythical status. Without a stroke of false sentimentality, The Difference Between Women and Men will leave you strangely shaken–and ever aware of the odd permutations of humankind.

Focusing on the creative process, Bret Lott offers profound insights into the writing journey through ten intimate essays. Drawing from his experiences and the wisdom of renowned writers like Eudora Welty and E. B. White, he addresses essential topics that guide writers in navigating their craft. Lott emphasizes the importance of understanding these truths to avoid losing direction in the writing life, making this guide a valuable resource for both aspiring and established authors.

Bret Lott's powerful, insightful stories illuminate the everyday episodes that move us -- husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and neighhors -- along the intricate paths of intimacy. A little boy's first bad dream brings his father back to his own childhood nights when danger lurked beneath the bed; in the California desert at night two brothers in a pickup tune into radio stations from distant places, interrupted by sudden bursts of static; estranged suburban friends become good neighbors again in the course of thwarting two thieves.Lott's previous novels, The Man Who Owned Vermont and A Stranger's House, established him as "one of the strongest voices to come along in some time" (The San Francisco Chronicle). A Dream of Old Leaves stakes out his place in the landscape of new American fiction.

Inspired by the Biblical story from the book of Ruth, this novel is a beautiful exploration of the power of love and family, of the ravages of grief and regret, and of the strength of the mother-daughter bond.

The story unfolds after a tragic car accident leaves Naomi and Ruth grappling with loss and grief. Naomi, mourning her son and harboring a deep secret, decides to return to her childhood home in South Carolina. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, chooses to accompany her, expressing unwavering loyalty. Together, they embark on a journey that leads them to a supportive community, where they begin to heal and rediscover love and hope. Their bond strengthens as they explore the possibilities of redemption amidst their fragile emotions.

For a long time, Claire and Tom Templeton have wished in vain for a child. What they have instead is a house, a charming old Cape that is their consolation. In the gray chill of a Massachusetts autumn, the Templetons and two local handymen, loners and eccentrics, work to rebuild the ramshackle home. As the house takes on a new life, Claire begins to understand its tangled history -- and to reconcile her own past and renew her hope for the future.

When Rick Wheeler's wife walks out on him, he nearly drowns in despair. So the RC Cola salesman throws himself into work -- setting sales records, winning a promotion, burying himself in the lonely present while he scours the past for hope. Then at last on a cold Vermont morning, a hunter and his prey show him unexpectedly, haltingly, the way back to love and faith.

The essay collection explores the rich multicultural tapestry of Israel and Palestine, highlighting stories of generosity and kindness. Through poignant narratives, it emphasizes the potential for lasting peace by showcasing the humanity and resilience of individuals in the region. The work serves as a heartfelt tribute to the power of compassion amidst conflict.