Landmark Southern writer George Singleton is on display in You Want More, a comprehensive and compelling collection of 30 pieces of his short fiction. In "A Man with My Number," a lonely and begrudgingly trusting man finds himself engaged in a conversation with a traveling salesman, despite his better judgment. "John Cheever, Rest in Peace" shows a man embarking on a go-for-broke, wild ride on his lawn mower, and the incident's lasting impact on his wife. In "The Novels of Raymond Chandler," a floundering English professor attempts to outwit those sentencing him for desecrating his own father's grave. And in "Director's Cut," a grown son grapples with his eccentric mother's lasting bitterness and unexpected new hobby.
Lovingly curated and joyfully introduced by Tom Franklin, You Want More argues for Singleton as a contemporary Southern classic author. Singleton's writing has a timeless appeal, its wit and ingenuity sharp and delightful. Choosing stories to highlight from the collection is not simple, as every story is both representative of Singleton's memorable flair and still a stand-out. While they focus on the mundane details and overlooked subjects of small-town Southern life, the magic is in how each of the seemingly quotidian moments and people prove completely unpredictable and unexpected. Frequently dark but nevertheless playful, this collection is a pitch-perfect presentation of Singleton's singular style. --Alice Martin, freelance writer and editor