The synopsis of this book sounded really good and I looked forward to reading it.

The style of writing wasn't my favorite, but I wanted to continue on with it and see where it was going. There was a lot of talking about hunting, and I started getting nervous because animal death and/or violence towards animals is just about my only trigger when reading. If it's a brief mention of something, even though I don't like it, I am okay if it means having to skip a paragraph or two, or even a whole page.

Eventually this book got to the point where we were taken on a hunting trip with a father, his son and his brother's-in-law. It started detailing how the brothers were "driving" the deer toward the father and son and essentially tricking it into approaching them without realizing it. I could see where it was going and briefly thought about just giving up on the book. But then I thought that I would instead just skip a page. Well, I did that and saw it was still on the hunting scene. So I skipped again...and again...and again and again and again. I had to skip so many pages to get past that scene and every single time I'd check to see if I was in the clear it would be another reference to the deer that I found upsetting. I finally skipped so many pages that I just hoped the story would still make sense with all that I had skipped. It pretty much did (which tells me that the whole hunting scene was way more drawn out than it needed to be).

However, then I came upon ANOTHER scene of violence towards animals, and this one was NOT a hunting scene (I mention that because I realize a lot people don't consider hunting to be violence towards animals). It was then that I decided I couldn't continue, so I had to DNF this book at 26%.

I see the glowing reviews for this book and realize I'm the outlier here. It might be a brilliant story, but I'll never know because I can't get past the scenes of animals being harmed. I think these scenes could've been achieved without being graphic or including certain details, but I also realize this is the one thing I'm really sensitive to, and others might not have any issue with it. I decided to still write this review for others that may have the same trigger, as there was no warning for me that these scenes would be in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my review.

In 2023, the literary world lost a stellar member in the death of Russell Banks. "American Spirits" is his last work and it is a masterwork of storytelling, observation, and finding the importance within the ordinary. It is a novel told in three interlocking tales, each a granular observation of both people, place, and events that ensnare those folks in unimaginable, yet totally possible circumstances.

Set in a small upstate New York colonial town by the name of Sam Dent, what begins as ordinary folk leading fairly ordinary lives, soon takes a downward turn when fate and the "ghosts" of the American Spirit entangle them in events that any perusal of today's worst headlines will instantly be recognizable to the reader.

Once invested, the reader will not be able to look away anymore than the characters can escape their story. It is Russell Banks' genius that his prose can so envelope the reader in the world he has built that you close the book with a sigh and say "Thank goodness that isn't real."

While silently you know, deep in your heart and your American soul, that it is.

This novel had a release date of March 5, 2024. I offer this review with thanks and gratitude for the privilege of receiving an advanced copy. The literary world has lost an important voice.

Three dark, timely short stories all set in the same small town in upstate New York. This was my first book by Banks and I was not disappointed.

American Spirits was a dark and sometimes uncomfortable look at a single town. The stories are not a feel good, romp. These are bleak. But I liked them. Russell Banks had a way of just showing people. I don't know how else to say that. You see them. You know that they have problems. You don't need to like them. You are just experiencing this with them. No matter what happens.

Russell Banks is a good storyteller. These are three stories that are located around the same area, a small town in Northern New York state. They are dark, full of troubled people. Banks certainly knows how to quickly draw a character.

There are three stories: Nowhere man, Homeschooling and Kidnapped. My preference is for the middle story, Homeschooling.

Can't say I fully enjoyed these stories. All were bleak and did not come to happy conclusions. The first story, Nowhere man, the main character is unhappy about how he sold off the land that had been in his family for generations and gets into a feud with the man who had purchased it.

Homeschooling concerns itself with a family that just moved into the town, well more about the neighbors, a lesbian married couple who adopted four siblings who are of a different race. The new neighbors are concerned about how the children are being treated.

The last Kidnapped are descendants of the town's founder, Sam Dent. The elderly couple are kidnapped by some Canadian drug lords and their grandson who they raised is their hope for being released. Their grandson Stevie perhaps is autistic, not sure, but he is different and never had any friends while growing up.

Somehow a MAGA hat made its way into each story as well. Not clear why except to point out the political position for some characters, although politics really didn't play into these stories. There is an undertone of poverty, but really everyone is getting by okay with some doing better than others.

The literary world suffered a great loss when author Russell Banks died of cancer in January 2023 at the age of eighty-two. Twice a Pulitzer Prize for fiction finalist, Banks came to be known as a novelist and short story writer whose work usually focused on the daily struggles and stresses of ordinary working people, those forever fated to remain on the outside looking in at others whose lives they perceive to be so much easier than their own.

Banks's first novel, Family Life, was published in 1975 along with Searching for Survivors, his first short story collection. The Magic Kingdom, the last novel to be published during the author's lifetime, came along in 2022, some forty-seven years after Family Life. But as it turns out, there's going to be at least one more Russell Banks book for readers to enjoy because American Spirits, a collection of three loosely connected stories, will be published in just a few days (March 5, 2024).

The three stories in American Spirits, each about eighty pages in length, or set in and around the fictional community of Sam Dent, New York. The little town is named after an early settler to the area who donated the land for the townsite on the strict condition that it be called "Sam Dent," and nothing else - certainly not some corruption of his surname such as Denton or Dentville. Unfortunately for Mr. Dent, the future would not treat his descendants kindly, and it has been all downhill for the Dents since Sam's passing.

In "Nowhere Man," a struggling family man and his siblings decide to sell off much of the remaining family land they still hold only to have the purchaser open a private gun range and training facility for right wing militia members on the property they sell him. After the seller dares complain about the resulting noise and the now-broken promises made to him prior to the sale, his life becomes pure hell.

"Homeschooling" is set in one of Sam Dent's finer neighborhoods where two very different families struggle to figure out just what to make of each other. In one family, a woman and her wife who have adopted four black siblings live in total isolation in the large home in which they homeschool the children. In the other, a young couple naively in love with the whole idea of life in "the country" moves in next door along with their own two children. Things begin to get strange almost as soon as the two families first set eyes on each other.

The third story in American Spirits, "Kidnapped," is about an elderly couple kidnapped and held for ransom by two Canadian criminals who have come south to collect the money that the elderly couple's grandson owes the men. The utter ineptness of this pair makes them more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

Russell Banks is not one to have ever pulled punches in his fiction, and the realistically presented stories in this collection are a vivid reminder of how quickly things can go from bad to worse in the crazy world we live in today. American Spirits is pure Russell Banks, another reminder of just how badly Banks is going to be missed.

Dark as hell and biting. Descriptive of the stories and also of their setting in post-trump America. I liked how they were inter-connected.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader's copy of this book.

American Spirits
By Russell Banks

The late Russell Banks wrote novels chronicling the dark side of life of poor working people in upstate New York and New England. His books resonated – several, including "Affliction" and "The Sweet Hereafter", were made into movies. This book is his last. It is not a novel, but three loosely interconnected stories involving characters living in Sam Dent, a fictional town in New York close to the Canadian border.

Mr. Banks himself was from such a working class background, though he went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and teach at Princeton University. The diversity in his background does much to explain what some readers might find confusing in the book. His dislike of Trump and the proliferation of guns and drugs are balanced by his understanding of a working class that is being left behind by their country's government. He has obviously thought deeply about the divide in our country – and "American Spirits" is the result.

If you are, like me, a fan of his work, this one is the perfect ending to a saga of working class America. RIP, Mr. Banks.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a collection of 3 short stories that are linked. All 3 feature a cast of residents from a rural New York town, in the current modern day of Trump's America. These stories each address what happens to conservative families when they encounter extremist situations. All feature characters that have a clear plan, and a want for a life that is better than what they have now, and it is reality that keeps getting in the way.

Russell Banks is a fantastic writer who will be greatly missed. Highly recommend!!

A collection of loosely related short stories that will have you thinking, American Spirits is the last work by Russel Banks, prior to his death. Do yourself a favor and give it a read.

American Spirits - by Russell Banks

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I wanted to start this review by stating that I feel honored to write a review for an author who has giving me so much entertainment, and so much to think about throughout the decades. Introduced to his writing at an early age, he will forever remain one of my favorite authors. When you are a liberal a very conservative rural, very judgemental environment, life can be a lonely place.

Although I never met him in person, Mr. Banks provided me years of solace and support through his thought-provoking and wonderfully written novels...

American Spirits is a collection of three novellas that explore the dark side of the American dream, as seen through the eyes of the residents of a small town in upstate New York. Russell Banks, one of the most acclaimed and prolific writers of his generation, delivers a masterful work of fiction that blends suspense, tragedy, and social commentary.

The first novella, "The Stranger", tells the story of a local realtor who sells a piece of land to a mysterious and volatile buyer, and faces the consequences of his curiosity and suspicion. The second novella, "The Neighbors", follows a middle-aged couple who become increasingly alarmed by the strange behavior of the family next door, and the children who seek their help. The third novella, "The Kidnappers", recounts the ordeal of an elderly couple who are abducted by two ruthless criminals, and the desperate attempts of their grandson to rescue them.

Banks skillfully weaves these stories together, creating a vivid portrait of a community haunted by secrets, violence, and fear. He also examines the larger issues of American politics, culture, and identity, exposing the cracks and contradictions of a nation divided and disillusioned. With his sharp prose, rich characterization, and keen insight, Banks delivers a powerful and provocative book that will stay with you long after the last page. American Spirits is a testament to Banks' literary genius and a fitting farewell to one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

Thank you Mr. Banks, may you rest in peace.

American Spirits by Russell Banks, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is not a novel but three longer stories loosely tied together by the location of a small town in upstate New York.

Readers who enjoy short stories will certainly enjoy this collection. I am a reader who prefers a full novel, however I did enjoy American Spirits. Each character was so well drawn and fleshed out that in a short time, the reader feels connected and has as understanding of what makes them tick. Each story also has dramatic action, so there’s something for everyone. Mr, Banks is a wonderful, prolific writer with a large catalog of books to enjoy.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Alfred A Knopf for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

Whew. This one is dark and will hurt your heart. Three separate stories in a rural town upstate, and at least one that was inspired by a real life tragedy/mystery. The book has no happy endings, just a glimpse into the bleak world of ppl coming to grips with the seemingly small decisions and choices they made under the backdrop of a charged political climate. The writing is masterful and the stories will stay with you long after the last page.

There are few authors like the late great Russell Banks who can engage readers in exceedingly dark stories which tell it exactly the way it is. American Spirits, a cigarette brand referred to in one of the three interrelated stories, is a double entendre also referring to the growing bleakness of the American psyche.

The stories are set in the fictional town of Sam Dent way up north in New York State, not far from the Canadian border. Descendants of the founding father, Sam Dent, still live there. The town is much in decline but is geographically located near some of the most beautiful spots in upstate New York and Banks’ stories contrast the awesomeness of nature with the dark side of human existence. Frequent barbs regarding Trump followers are in all three tales. Banks’ political views are pervasive.

The first tale focuses on land ownership and the struggles of social class land ownership. Gun ownership and gun control as well as hunting are major themes throughout. The characters are so well defined that I could anticipate their moves.


In the second story, a family looking for an affordable home, relocates to Sam Dent and finds their next door neighbors to be so peculiar that having a real relationship with them is impossible. Banks addresses many social issues such as gay marriage, interracial adoption, home schooling, and suicide.

In the final piece, Banks depicts a family who has lost their son in war, raising a naive grandson into maturity. There is murder , drug abuse, kidnapping and an extremely dark perspective throughout.

Beautifully and clearly written, these stories are hard to put down. I read the book in a day. They will appeal to discerning readers who like to read stories that take a look at real issues even when the observations are bleak. I will miss Russell Banks’ keen perceptions of our society. Four and a half stars rounded to five. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing an ARC in exchange for my review. Publication date is soon- March 5, 2024.

American Spirits is a book of three short stories that are dark, powerful and thought provoking. All three are tragic and deal with issues of guns, adoption, child abuse, drug addiction and several other social issues that can be taken out of the headlines any day in the U.S,

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for this e-arc.*

This wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the first story - it felt like it was taking too long - and I can tell I’ll feel the same way about the others.

Wow....I have loved Russell Banks books for many years, they are rarely sweetness & light & this is no exception. Personally this book takes place in a fictional northern NY town, but the surrounding areas are real & very well known to me, so that was interesting.

These are short stories which are loosely connected to each other in this small town. And there's reference to Trump & MAGA hats, which may be a turn off to some, one way or the other. But the underlying theme for me was this connection to Trump, he wasn't perfect but yet he was there for them, he was not perfect like many of these characters & that was what they loved about him.

This is in no way a Trump or MAGA book, but it does come up in each story, briefly.

I have to think this is his final book as he did die last year, unless there's book written & yet unpublished.

Definitely dark

This trilogy of stories, all based in one small upstate NY town, features characters that are completely different from each other. The common theme, besides the town, is the mindset and political culture of the town, not stereotypes, but reflective of reality. I come from a similar place also in NY, and I recognize the similarities.

I can’t say that this is an enjoyable book due to the dark themes running through it, but it is thought provoking. It reminded me of works by Shirley Jackson, so if you like this style this is a good book for you.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I'm not familiar with the author and I found these stories just ok. Dark, and depressing, sure.
3 stories in an upstate NY town all with gloomy outcomes.
I wasnt looking for something happy, I was aware what I was getting into but my interest just wasn't peaked reading.
Finished just to know how it ended. Thank you, Netgalley, author (rip), and publisher for the ARC.

Knopf Books provided an early galley for review.

A couple years ago, I read my first book by Banks - The Magic Kingdom. So, when I saw his name along with this striking cover, I was instantly drawn to checking it out. This collection of three stories is the first posthumous release (Banks passed away in 2023).

First is Nowhere Man which tells of Doug Lafleur's growing conflict with businessman Yuri Zingerman. Things really escalate when Doug goes against Yuri's wishes, putting the two men at great odds. The tension turns up to eleven with a rather unexpected ending. For me, it makes a very pointed statement about rash and uncontrolled behaviors.

Next up is Homeschooling where Kenneth and Barbara Odell's involvement with their neighbors results in a very tragic ending. This one leaves the reader with so many unanswered questions regarding the Weber family, which reflects upon the notion that so often today people fail to really get to know others.

And, lastly, Kidnapped is a dark and twisting tale of family and failure, drugs and death. It reminded me of something that would be right at home in a Quentin Tarantino film, though delivered thankfully with less gratuitous violence.

Banks touches upon many topical themes in these stories including privacy, gun ownership, miscommunication and misinterpretations. Any one of the three stories could have been ripped from the headlines of recent years. There is a dark tone to them all; there are no happily ever afters here. Given the dark times of the last decade or so, these tragic tales do not come across as shocking as they could have. And that makes me a bit sad.