Whites

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

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more