Tenth of December
The prize-winning, New York Times bestselling short story collection from the internationally bestselling author of Lincoln in the Bardo 'I think he's the greatest writer since Salinger' Richard Ayoade 'I love this collection and it has one of my favourite stories of all time in it' Elizabeth Day 'The best book you'll read this year' New York Times 'Dazzlingly surreal stories about a failing America' Sunday Times WINNER OF THE 2014 FOLIO PRIZE AND SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD 2013 George Saunders's most wryly hilarious and disturbing collection yet, Tenth of December illuminates human experience and explores figures lost in a labyrinth of troubling preoccupations. A family member recollects a backyard pole dressed for all occasions; Jeff faces horrifying ultimatums and the prospect of Darkenfloxx(TM) in some unusual drug trials; and Al Roosten hides his own internal monologue behind a winning smile that he hopes will make him popular. With dark visions of the future riffing against ghosts of the past and the ever-settling present, this collection sings with astonishing charm and intensity.
- Pages
- 289
- First published
- January 3, 2013
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
- ISBN
- 9781408837351
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Reviews
Finished January 26, 2026
3.25 ⭐
Finished September 26, 2024
This collection of 10 short stories is nothing short of brilliant. Tenth of December is so touching and thought-provoking. My favorites were “Puppy” and “The Semplica Girl Diaries,” both of which made me think about my own family and parenting journey in powerful ways. Every story left me with something to think about. Will definitely be reading again and again!

