Fiction writers from the Naples Writers' Workshop read successful stories and ask "Why Is This Good?"
We discuss how fiction works, the craft of writing, literary art, and what we can learn from examples of excellent writing.
Join us twice each month for our workshop podcast.

Why Is This Good? is hosted by Kristine Gill, J. C. Bronsted, and Rob Curtin.

About

036: “The Pugilist at Rest” by Thom Jones

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In this episode, we are joined by our friend and author, Karl Luntta.  Karl is the author of the novel Know it By Heart (Northwestern University Press/Curbstone) and short story collection Swimming (SUNY Press), and has published fiction in journals including International Quarterly, North Atlantic Review, Talking River Review, Baltimore Review, Northeast Corridor, and Toronto Review. He is a firm believer in the Oxford comma.

Karl suggested we read “The Pugilist at Rest” by Thom Jones. What can we learn from a story about the Vietnam War? What can we learn from such a clear and strong narrative voice? What can we learn from a story structured with compelling digressions and tangents? What do we make of the inclusion of the eponymous statue as a centerpiece of the story?

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July 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop