Georgia Buddha

by V.N. Ebert

In this debut collection of short stories, author V.N. Ebert cuts deep into the heart of the American South. Haunted by ghosts of ancestral battles and violent histories, these stories explore the lives of awed but unrelenting characters, each fighting an existential war for reclamation. Some win, some lose, and some have already lost, their struggles playing out amidst the decaying, jasmine-scented ruins of a world lost to time.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Raymond Nellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would describe this as a beautiful book. While not from the south myself (and not very well acquainted) I enjoyed this exploration of southern culture and the feelings of violent resignation and loss. It is a real rarity.

I think my thoughts can best be summed up with a line spoken by a defeated Confederate to a victorious Yankee “We are both men who shall be consumed. Myself by the past, and you by your future”.

The Confederacy was backwards and un-adaptive but it had culture, an aesthetic meaning to life. The Yankees won and through northern capital America understood herself only through materialism. Now as that puritan morality fades to nothing she is poisoned with envy and narcissism. We lost something valuable in the civil war, something that we needed.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a very good collection for a debut author. I believe most of the stories in this book are enjoyable. The ones I didn't really like still made me think about the points the author was trying to make, which is more than I can say for most.

[Vic Torry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked it. Wabi-Sabi reminded me of my grandmother. Something comforting about the whole collection.

[ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good for a debut collection. The titular story and Medea Gothic are particular standouts. Looking forward to seeing other work from Ebert