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1279 ratings | 870 reviews | avg rating:4.20

Clifford’s Year In Books

Clifford’s 2025 Year in Books

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Clifford Garstang’s Followers (378)

Clifford’s Bookshelves

to-read (143)
currently-reading (67)
read (1395)
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anthologies (15)
art (3)
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Clifford Garstang

Goodreads Author

Born

November 28

Website

http://cliffordgarstang.com

Twitter

cliffgarstang

Genre

Short Stories, Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction

Influences

Tim O'Brien, Elizabeth Strout, Peter Ho Davies, Colum McCann, Grace Pa ...more

Member Since

June 2007

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/clifford_garstang

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Clifford Garstang is the author of three novels: THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE (forthcoming, 2024), OLIVER’S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY. He is also the author of three story collections: WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW (winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction), IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, and HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES. He is the co-founder and former editor of PRIME NUMBER MAGAZINE and the editor of the three-volume anthology series, EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET. A former international lawyer with a prominent US law firm and the World Bank, Garstang earned a BA from Northwestern University, an MA (English) and a JD from Indiana University, an MPA (International Development) from Ha ...more

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Clifford Garstang’s books

Average rating: 4.20 · 709 ratings · 177 reviews · 16 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Last Bird of Paradise 4.09 avg rating — 327 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	What the Zhang Boys Know 4.16 avg rating — 132 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	In an Uncharted Country 4.35 avg rating — 77 ratings — published 2009 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Shaman of Turtle Valley 4.40 avg rating — 52 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oliver's Travels 4.47 avg rating — 37 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction from a Small Planet by Clifford Garstang (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Brandy Abraham (Contributor), Jay Kauffmann (Contributor) 4.38 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction from a Small Planet, Volume II 4.42 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2016 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	House of the Ancients and Other Stories 4.18 avg rating — 11 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Prime Number Magazine, Editors' Selections: Volume 2 by Clifford Garstang (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Valerie Nieman (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Tracy Crow (Editor) 4.44 avg rating — 9 ratings — published 2012	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Prime Number Magazine, Editors' Selections Volume 3 by Clifford Garstang (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Valerie Nieman (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Tracy Crow (Editor) 4.50 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Clifford Garstang's Blog

2026 Reading–October

Satantango by Laszlo Krasznahorkai, translated from Hungarian by George Szirtes. Last year, the author won the Nobel Prize for literature. I thought I had never heard of him, but it turns out I brought home this book of his as a souvenir of my visit to Budapest in 2022. The printed book is daunting—no paragraph breaks and most sentences are very long. Recently, though, I picked up the audiobook, a

Clifford is Currently Reading

Clifford is currently reading

Dead Egyptians

by Del Blackwater

bookshelves: currently-reading, black-rose, novels

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Oct 27, 2026 06:07AM

Clifford is currently reading

The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, audiobooks, novels

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Oct 16, 2026 03:06PM

Clifford is currently reading

Stan and Gus: Art, Ardor, and the Friendship That Built the Gilded Age

by Henry Wiencek

bookshelves: currently-reading, nonfiction-history, reading-liberally

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Oct 15, 2026 05:56PM

Clifford’s Recent Updates

Clifford Garstang wrote a new blog post 2026 Reading–October Satantango by Laszlo Krasznahorkai, translated from Hungarian by George Szirtes. Last year, the author won the Nobel Prize for literature. I thought I Read more of this blog post »
Nov 02, 2026 12:09AM · like
Clifford is currently reading Dead Egyptians by Del Blackwater	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 27, 2026 06:07AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dead Egyptians by Del Blackwater. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dead Egyptians by Del Blackwater <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Clifford is currently reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 16, 2026 03:06PM · like
Clifford is currently reading Stan and Gus: Art, Ardor, and the Friendship That Built the Gilded Age by Henry Wiencek	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 05:56PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Stan and Gus by Henry Wiencek. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Stan and Gus by Henry Wiencek <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Clifford rated a book it was amazing Satantango (Apocalypse Quartet, #1) by László Krasznahorkai	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What a book! It didn't really end, which is I suppose part of the point. The ensemble cast is fantastic. I had the printed book and the audiobook, which was narrated beutifully. ...more
Oct 15, 2026 05:54PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Satantango by László Krasznahorkai. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Satantango by László Krasznahorkai <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Clifford rated a book really liked it Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America by Beth Macy (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 14, 2026 06:04PM · 7 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Paper Girl by Beth Macy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Paper Girl by Beth Macy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Clifford rated a book Tristan 4 America by Bruce Overby (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
After a sudden layoff from the tech company he helped build, a restless executive launches a quixotic bid for the presidency—less out of conviction than calculation. The campaign is meant to be brief, profitable, and forgettable. But along the way, T ...more
Oct 09, 2026 10:58AM · 1 like · like · see review
Clifford rated a book it was amazing Getting it Right: A Psychological Thriller by Karen E. Osborne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Getting it Right was a terrific read, filled with emotion and a great story. When Alex learns that she has a sister she didn't know about, she begins the search for Kara. And Kara, who has longed to know her family but has grown up in the foster care ...more
Sep 23, 2026 02:48PM · like · see review
Clifford is currently reading Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America by Beth Macy (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Memoir	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 17, 2026 05:20PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Paper Girl by Beth Macy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Paper Girl by Beth Macy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Clifford rated a book it was amazing Grow Old and Don't Die by Ari Phillips	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
: In the hills of West Virginia, time has quietly broken its promise. In Grow Old and Don’t Die, a romp of a novel by Ari Phillips, a secluded family thrives for generations without aging, sustained by waters rumored to be a modern-day fountain of yo ...more
Sep 15, 2026 04:24AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Grow Old and Don't Die by Ari Phillips. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Grow Old and Don't Die by Ari Phillips <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
75 Books...More o...: Joy’s 2019 Challenge (75)	138	27	Aug 03, 2019 10:57AM
On The Same Page : USA	97	40	Dec 12, 2022 03:01PM
What's the Name o...: residents of hotels/rooming houses/inns/apartment houses/etc.	155	2383	Oct 25, 2026 12:18PM

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Clifford’s Quotes

“Conservatives, in contrast, are more parochial—concerned about their groups, rather than all of humanity.”
― Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion

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Clifford’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-13) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 13: by Alison

Nov 28, 2015 05:33AM

Great to meet you Clifford! Your bio is fascinating! :)

reply | flag

message 12: by Rusty

May 07, 2014 02:56PM

Hello,

Hopefully, we will become great buddies. I am an 42 year old southern gentleman author. I am working on my third novel. It's an paranormal, horror, adventure, magical, romantic, urban, dark fantasy book series, named Moonwarriors: Guardians of the Night. Come by and we'll chat, leave a comment.

Until Next Time . .

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message 11: by Rusty

Mar 23, 2014 02:06PM

Hello There,

I am glad to meet you. How are you doing as of lately?
I have been writing on my third book, Moonwarriors: In An Blackened Dawn. You should check out my new website, then leave your thoughts and ideas on it.

Keep On Reading . . .

http://authorrustynugent.wix.com/moon...

reply | flag

message 10: by Karen

May 18, 2013 01:07AM

Thanks Clifford for friending,
I'm the Author of ME & HER: A Memoir Of Madness
and ME & HIM: A Guide to Recovery.

Please LIKE my Author page
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Take care
Karen :)

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message 9: by Owen

Jan 31, 2013 05:45AM

Hi Clifford,

I hope you're well.

Thank's for accepting my request of friendship.

Regards,
Owen

Behind The Smile

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message 8: by Susie

May 01, 2012 04:35AM

thanks for the add!

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message 7: by Robert

Apr 19, 2012 05:49PM

Thanks for the friend request, Clifford.

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message 6: by David

Apr 15, 2012 12:38PM

Great to meet you, Clifford.

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message 5: by Savannah

Mar 20, 2012 10:01AM

Clifford, thank you for the friendship.

reply | flag

message 4: by Tamara

Feb 19, 2012 12:00PM

Hi Clifford and thanks for your friendship :D

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message 3: by Maureen

Feb 11, 2012 08:31AM

Hi Clifford, thanks for adding this fellow author to your circle of friends. I hope you'll consider adding my novels What Would Nancy Do?, In the Company of Women, The Christmas to Remember, and Finding Normal to your to-read list. Look forward to reading your book reviews and recommendations. Happy reading!

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message 2: by Nely

Jan 31, 2012 06:47PM

Thank you much for the add!
-Nely Cab

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message 1: by J.R.

Jul 11, 2009 08:20AM

Hi Cliff! Thanks for the add! Hope all is well in Virginia!

Jeannine
J.R. Reardon
author, CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS

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Clifford’s Year In Books

Clifford Garstang’s Followers (378)

Clifford’s Bookshelves

Clifford’s Friends (3,223)

Clifford Garstang

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Clifford Garstang’s books

1856 posts
Clifford Garstang's Blog

2026 Reading–October

Clifford is Currently Reading

Clifford’s Recent Updates

2026 Reading–October

See a Problem?

Preview — Dead Egyptians by Del Blackwater

See a Problem?

Preview — Stan and Gus by Henry Wiencek

See a Problem?

Preview — Satantango by László Krasznahorkai

See a Problem?

Preview — Paper Girl by Beth Macy

See a Problem?

Preview — Paper Girl by Beth Macy

See a Problem?

Preview — Grow Old and Don't Die by Ari Phillips

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