Jim Harrison

Jim Harrison has long held the title of Best American Writer You've Probably Never Heard Of. A poet first (and, by Harrison's own admission, foremost), he turned to fiction almost 40 years ago with the publication of his novel, Wolf. Harrison is at his best when he focuses on his characters’ essential humanity and the tragicomic events that shape their lives. His raw humor and sharp (and for the most part, good-natured) satire occasionally met with ambivalence from critics, but The English Major is the work of a seasoned, sure-footed storyteller. This novel is vintage Harrison, and for most readers, that's a very good thing indeed.