Tenth of December by George Saunders - A Short Summary & Review
Tenth of December by George Saunders - A Short Summary & Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
Saunder's short studies of humanity.
A short summary:
In Tenth of December, George Saunders offers a collection of short stories that function as close studies of humanity, its kindnesses, failures, fears, and quiet heroics. Set in recognizable, often contemporary environments, these stories blend realism with subtle surrealism to examine how people think, justify, and ultimately act.
Saunders places readers directly inside his characters’ minds, capturing the constant churn of inner dialogue that shapes even the smallest decisions. Whether dealing with illness, poverty, isolation, or moral compromise, these stories illuminate how ordinary moments can carry extraordinary ethical weight.
My favorite quote from the book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
Tenth of December is a collection I deeply admire, largely because Saunders understands how inner dialogue works. His characters think the way real people think, messy, self-correcting, hopeful, and often contradictory. That internal noise is where the stories live.
The brilliance here is in the smallness. Little moments, an impulse, a hesitation, a half-formed thought, become profoundly satisfying because they reveal something true. Saunders doesn’t rely on grand plots; he trusts the emotional reality of his characters.
What makes this fiction feel so factual is its honesty. These stories don’t flatter humanity, but they don’t condemn it either. They acknowledge weakness while still insisting on dignity. Again and again, Saunders returns to the idea that people are flawed and still worthy of love.
This is thoughtful, humane writing that lingers not for its twists, but for its understanding.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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