Pastoralia

In Pastoralia elements of contemporary life are twisted, merged and amplified into a slightly skewed version of modern America. A couple live and work in a caveman theme-park, where speaking is an instantly punishable offense. A born loser attends a self-help seminar where he is encouraged to rid himself of all the people who are "crapping in your oatmeal". And a male exotic dancer and his family are terrorized by their decomposing aunt who visits them with a solemn message from beyond the grave.

With an uncanny combination of deadpan naturalism and uproarious humour, George Saunders creates a world that is both indelibly original and yet hauntingly familiar.