In Persuasion Nation is a short story collection that is full of 12 stories by George Saunders. The stories included were published in different forms, all that which include The New Yorker, Harper’s, Esquire, and McSweeney's. The stories have publication dates ranging from 1999 to 2005, with different subjects that include “elements of satire and science fiction” and the idea of a progressing America. The actual collection was published in 2006 and the final page count resulted to be about 228 pages.
Saunders is loved for his humor and interesting way of perceiving things. However, the collection showcased a deeper, more thoughtful side of Saunders through the short stories compiled in it. They range from funny plots and characters, to deeper messages hidden beneath the surface, to ghostly stories that send chills down readers’ spines. Some find it disappointing that the most engaging stories were the shortest, while others believe this is some of Saunders’ best work.
In Persuasion Nation has received and won several prizes and awards, some of which include: the 2004 National Magazine Award for Fiction, the 2005 Best American Short Stories, the World Fantasy Award for short story, and the list goes on. Some of the short stories were reprinted in different mediums around the nation.
George Saunders, born in Texas, 1958, is a writer, journalist, and college professor. He is still active in his writing to this day and has been nominated and won countless awards and prizes for his notable work. Married to Paula Redick and the father to two daughters, Saunders still teaches at Syracuse University - the place where everything started.
