National Book Award Winner
Fortune Smiles
by Adam Johnson
Summary
Six long stories that range across continents and registers, including a North Korean defector adjusting to Seoul, a programmer building a hologram of a dead president, and a man returning to a New Orleans wrecked by a hurricane. Johnson's stories pair speculative premises with sharp psychological detail, exploring guilt, surveillance, and the limits of empathy. The collection showcases his range and his interest in characters caught between systems.
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Historical Context & Significance
Johnson won this shortly after winning the Pulitzer for 'The Orphan Master's Son', marking a rare sweep of major prizes.