A Congress of Wonders

by Ed McClanahan

At once compassionate and outrageously funny, the three stories in this collection take us to the fictional town of Needmore, Kentucky, where Ed McClanahans distinctive mixture of irreverence and humility captures the absurdities of a world in which bizarre events alter peoples lives.

Genres: Short Stories

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Edward Poage McClanahan was born in Brooksville, Kentucky in 1932 to Edward Leroy and Jesse (Poage) McClanahan. He attended school there and later in nearby Maysville, Kentucky where the family relocated in 1948. McClanahan graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in English in 1955 and from the University of Kentucky in 1958 with a M.A. in English. McClanahan taught English at Oregon State University, 1958-1962.

He received a Wallace Stegner Fellowship in 1962 and remained at Stanford University as E. H. Jones Lecturer in Creative Writing until 1972. During his time at Stanford, while also known by his hippie moniker "Captain Kentucky," McClanahan became good friends with author and fellow Stanford attendee Ken Kesey. McClanahan was an active member of Kesey's band of Merry Pranksters.


McClanahan currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky with his third wife, Hilda. He is active in Kentucky literary circles and can occasionally be seen, in full "Captain Kentucky" regalia, guest-lecturing to University of Kentucky creative writing workshops.

Reviews

[Zoe Kaylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad for giving Congress of Wonders a low rating. I think the writing is good, but I think the short story format, the rather absurdist, atmospheric descriptions, and unique tone are not going to be for everyone. The writing was reminiscent of Mark Twain to me and the stories reminded me a bit of reading Gogol and absurdist Russian literature. For most of each story, you have no idea why what's going on or why the characters are important, but then there's a moment near the endings that makes you think and takes you deeper. I'm glad I read this book, but I'm not quite sure that I liked it.

[Paul Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://tbrstack.blogspot.com/2017/07...

[Travis Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful loquacious narrative that won me over as a lad. Makes me proud to be a Kentuckian. As the ninth anniversary of my reading it looms and the tenth anniversary of its publication has arrived, perhaps I'll revisit it.

[Rebecca Minnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

McClanahan is a master of his trade. His language and pacing so absolutely perfect The characters are at once outrageous and ordinary. His story telling is delightful.