Jernigan

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Peter Jernigan's life is spiraling out of control. With his wife gone, job lost, and estranged from his teenage son, he turns to alcohol for solace, but it offers diminishing returns. As his coping mechanism fails, Jernigan resorts to unleashing his caustic wit on those around him—his wife Judith, son Danny, new girlfriend Martha, and ultimately himself—transforming humor into horror. While he burns bridges with loved ones, his dark charisma captivates readers until the bitter end. This story, infused with irony and alcohol, presents a chilling yet humorous portrait of a man teetering on the edge, wisecracking all the way down. David Gates, residing in Missoula, Montana, and Granville, New York, teaches at the University of Montana and the Bennington Writing Seminars. Formerly an editor at Newsweek, he has authored two novels and a story collection. His work has garnered critical acclaim, with "Jernigan" being a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award. Gates's short stories have appeared in prestigious publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone. Critics have praised his work for its energetic prose and dark humor, likening it to other literary classics, and highlighting Jernigan as a memorable anti-hero in contemporary literature.