The Queen of Bad Influences

One of Literary Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of the Year

“In a dozen bravura historical short stories, Shepard again summons his rare and prodigious gift for imagining the thoughts and feelings of people caught in catastrophes… . In each, Shepard deftly sketches characters of sharp wit, emotional complexity, distinct intelligence, candor, and courage… . These magnificent, all-consuming stories of unflinching precision, breathtaking artistry, deep compassion, and lifeline humor pit the merciless might of nature against the transcendence of love.” —Donna Seaman, Booklist (starred review)

“Essential… . These stories represent sharp historical fiction at its best. Shepard engages readers by presenting ordinary things in the context of extraordinary times… . He turns unfamiliar moments into near-recollections and invites readers to wonder about the destination of the next story.” —Library Journal

“Catastrophe fiction isn’t all doom. At its best, it reminds us not only of humanity’s flaws, but also virtues like love, community, and friendship. As these stories span entirely different times and places, and they remind us of how we fail, but also what we can do to fix our mistakes.” —Literary Hub

“A collection of stories that reveal crisis as a crucible of character… . In vivid prose … Shepard’s latest story collection reinforces his command of what has been called ‘catastrophe fiction.’” —Kirkus Review

“[Shepard’s] indelible prose frequently dazzles… . Readers will revel in these ambitious tales.” —Publishers Weekly

Jim Shepard has written eight novels, including The Book of Aron, which won the Sophie Brody Medal, the PEN/New England Award, the Ribalow Prize, and the Clark Fiction Prize. He has also published six story collections, including Like You’d Understand, Anyway, which won The Story Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Eight of his stories have been selected for publication in The Best American Short Stories, two for The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories, and three for The Pushcart Prize. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. He lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with his wife, the fiction writer Karen Shepard, and their two dogs.

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