A collection of short stories from the National Book Award-winning author of Mating • "Powerful and original...always convincingly authentic. The ironies keep cutting in new directions." —The New York Times

Whether they are Americans, Brits, or a stubborn and suicidally moral Dutchman, Norman Rush’s whites are not sure why they are in Botswana. Their uncertainty makes them do odd things.

Driven half-mad by the barking of his neighbor’s dogs, Carl dips timidly into native witchcraft—only to jump back out at the worst possible moment. Ione briskly pursues a career as a “seducer” (“A seductress was merely someone who was seductive and who might or might not be awarded a victory. But a seducer was a professional”), while her dentist husband fends off the generous advances of an African cook.

Funny, sad, and deeply knowing, polished throughout to a diamond glitter, Whites is a magnificent collection of stories.
Bruns 
Near Pala 
Thieving 
Instruments of Seduction
Official Americans 
Alone in Africa
© Michael Lionstar
Norman Rush is the author of four works of fiction: Whites, a collection of stories, and three novels, Subtle Bodies, Mating, and Mortals. His stories have appeared in The New YorkerThe Paris Review, and Best American Short StoriesMating was the recipient of the National Book Award. Rush and his wife live in Rockland County, New York. View titles by Norman Rush

About

A collection of short stories from the National Book Award-winning author of Mating • "Powerful and original...always convincingly authentic. The ironies keep cutting in new directions." —The New York Times

Whether they are Americans, Brits, or a stubborn and suicidally moral Dutchman, Norman Rush’s whites are not sure why they are in Botswana. Their uncertainty makes them do odd things.

Driven half-mad by the barking of his neighbor’s dogs, Carl dips timidly into native witchcraft—only to jump back out at the worst possible moment. Ione briskly pursues a career as a “seducer” (“A seductress was merely someone who was seductive and who might or might not be awarded a victory. But a seducer was a professional”), while her dentist husband fends off the generous advances of an African cook.

Funny, sad, and deeply knowing, polished throughout to a diamond glitter, Whites is a magnificent collection of stories.

Table of Contents

Bruns 
Near Pala 
Thieving 
Instruments of Seduction
Official Americans 
Alone in Africa

Author

© Michael Lionstar
Norman Rush is the author of four works of fiction: Whites, a collection of stories, and three novels, Subtle Bodies, Mating, and Mortals. His stories have appeared in The New YorkerThe Paris Review, and Best American Short StoriesMating was the recipient of the National Book Award. Rush and his wife live in Rockland County, New York. View titles by Norman Rush

Books for National Depression Education and Awareness Month

For National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, we are sharing a collection of titles that educates and informs on depression, including personal stories from those who have experienced depression and topics that range from causes and symptoms of depression to how to develop coping mechanisms to battle depression.

Read more

Horror Titles for the Halloween Season

In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ History Month

For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those

Read more