Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories

by Danny McBride

From the beloved creator and star of The Righteous Gemstones and Eastbound & Down comes a wild collection of short stories featuring Danny McBride’s signature dark humor.

There are many sides to Danny he starred as the iconic character Kenny Powers in the cult classic HBO show Eastbound & Down, a series he also wrote and created, just as he did with Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones. He’s produced horror films (Halloween) and starred in sci-fi ( Covenant). But ever since he was young, he’s been writing short fiction, and it’s always been private. Until now.

There’s a washed-up sitcom actor who takes revenge on the coyote who killed his dog. There are two young runaways who decide to part ways, but not before one last big adventure. There is The Modern Age Town of Southern America National Park, which boasts the most realistic reenactments of suburbia since the disaster happened. There is an amateur magician who gets in way over his head with a deadly stunt in a local mall.

These stories take viciously unexpected tragic and comedic turns. While each one is addictively unpredictable, when taken together, these darkly funny, strangely emotional, and occasionally brutal tales provide an indelible look at the fragile masculinity of modern American culture.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Max Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC - thanks for the opportunity!

This was fun! I really enjoyed the vignettes, especially because they were all pretty well fleshed out. There wasn’t much that was left unanswered or disappointed me, which isn’t always the case.

I’ve never been one for a “short story” collection, and even though there were a few, I didn’t connect with, I think that McBride was also really skilled in his structure. I can’t remember specifically, but in the last fifth of the book, there was a moment where the two storylines merged, and it felt incredibly natural and cohesive.

One of my own missteps was with my perception of the word “thrilling” in the title. I was almost under the impression that many of the tales would be of outstanding and impressive and notable men, but some of the characters in the story were scumbags. And I love that! I just didn’t expect that when I began.

I’d recommend if you like exciting (and sometimes feel good) short stories. It definitely was an easy read to want to come back to again and again. Also, quite nice to have plenty of one-sitting sized stories.

[talia ♡]

#blessed to receive an arc of these highly anticipated short stories from one of the funniest and hottest men who i would leave any relationship for just to have a chance with him (the other exceptions are bob odenkirk, johnny knoxville, and glenn howerton)

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story collection brilliantly captures the angst and anxiety felt by a certain breed of modern men who feel like the world may be moving on without them. Each story is well crafted with memorable characters put into sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking situations that push them to their breaking points. My favorite was Last Night of the Runaway Adventure.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC.

[Nick LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting dilemma when a famous person writes fiction, especially one with as singular a voice as Danny McBride. I've long been a fan of what he does; he can almost always get a laugh out of me in any performance. But the difficulty of being a writer with such a distinct style is that it can be an extremely potent flavor note that someone can pick out in almost any stew, particularly if that reader is already attuned to the frequency. There were even moments in David Gordon Green's Halloween movies that I'd be willing to throw dollars down came from McBride's pen. In this case, a concentrated dose of McBride-ian (or McBride-esque) storytelling, it functions as both a strength and a weakness.

The strongest moments are when he takes a few steps away from outright comedy, with VICIOUS KIND and LAST NIGHT being the standout examples. Here, McBride weaponizes his talent for writing immature and self-doubting characters. Much of the collection is built around the anxious flailing of American men who feel their masculinity challenged, which does a number on their sense of purpose and ends with ludicrous and often absurd results.

But in these two stories, there is a sense of loss and loneliness that in one case toxifies and in the other results in an existential melancholy. The familiar dashes of McBride's humor and narrative voice are used well here, adding to the work rather than distracting from it.

VICIOUS KIND is well-formed and self-contained, a piece worthy of publishing. LAST NIGHT is almost there; a few structural changes and it would have been a real knockout. McBride's sense of character is so charming that I found it slowly creeping up my list and tooling around in my head at unexpected moments. Though with a little more craft it could have been effectively sharpened, it was a tale that left me wanting more for these people. And you really can't complain about that.

In other cases, like ILLUSIONIST and INSTITUTE OF MEN, his voice becomes a distraction. We can hear Jesse Gemstone and Kenny Powers saying the lines, and whatever interesting literary stuff might be going on (which isn't necessarily a lot in some of these entries) winds up getting lost.

Generally, this is a mediocre collection of entertaining short fiction with three really good tales, four fun if forgettable stories, and three clunkers. At best, it can hopefully convince some TV-focused non-readers and fans of comedy to pick up a book they otherwise might not.

There are laughs in it, which isn't the easiest thing to pull off with only words on a page. There is also action, plenty of cringes, and some insightful, if ultimately unserious, bits of perspective on the failings of modern American masculinity. I liked it well enough.

McBride is an extremely gifted comedic performer who wields a genuinely novel and fascinating combination of toilet humor, melancholy, and sentimentality. Is he the next great novelist? Probably not. Would I have read this on my own if I wasn't already a fan and hadn't been graciously provided with an ARC? Almost certainly not. But I'll give his next book a go, and I will absolutely watch whatever he puts out after that.

Also, great cover art! Though, the collection would have benefitted from not having his likeness infused into each in-text illustration. Some added distance from the author as a subject would have probably helped, at least, this is the case for me.

Stories Ranked:
1. The Vicious Kind
2. Last Night of the Runaway Adventure
3. The Book Burner
4. Gerald's Wife
5. Mr. Liptrapp's Sword
6. Fun Run
7. Robocare
8. Dad's Way
9. The Illusionist
10. The Institute of Men

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC.

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be completely honest that I was drawn to Thrilling Tales of Modern Men solely due to the author, Danny McBride. There is nothing against the subject or genre, just not something I would typically have picked up, but with a person I respect behind the book it became a must-read. A well-written collection of short stories.

An amateur magician gets in way over his head with a deadly stunt in a local mall. A washed-up sitcom actor takes revenge on the coyote who killed his dog. Two young runaways decide to part ways, but not before embarking on one last big adventure. Each of these stories have one thing in common—each probes the fragile masculinity that has become an inescapable part of modern American culture.

As with most short story collections, there were some really good tales and some I was less in love with. Actually, there were some excellent stories and some good stories, I'll put it that way. Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is a group of thrilling stories filled with unlikeable male characters that oozes with the vibes of how McBride crafts his tales.

This is not a book on how men should fix themselves, but more about how the main characters spiral out of control. While some get back up, others stay down, as they should. Most are brash, unflinching men, while some have a quiet feeling to them. A little bit of everything from start to finish.

I would have to say the opening tale The Illusionist, RoboCare, and The Book Burner are my three favorites of the bunch. While they are all good stories, those three were the ones that had me pulled in and by the end of the story was left wanting more. The best thing is that each story felt truly creatively unique and told a story I wasn't expecting. Something you cannot always say about story collections.

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is a short story collection filled with distinctive tales by one-of-a-kind talent, Danny McBride. The stories felt like something special while also entertaining along the way. I loved every moment, others more than some.

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men hits bookstores everywhere on June 23, 2026 from Random House. The audiobook is available for preorder via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Thrilling Tales of Modern Men from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Thrilling Tales of Modern Men by Danny McBride

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men distills Danny McBride’s comic worldview to its purest, least flattering form. His men are certain they are exceptional and spend each story trying to produce proof. The goals are modest on paper: prove talent, get revenge, preserve normal life, stage one last adventure. The outcomes are not. Every attempt at self-mythology collapses under its own weight, and the repetition feels intentional, a gallery of masculine delusion caught mid-performance.

The setups are unmistakably McBride, but it is the pattern beneath them that lingers. His men construct elaborate proofs of their own importance and cling to them past the point of collapse. They narrate their lives as if legend is inevitable, mistake stubbornness for strength, and treat humiliation as a temporary clerical error. Across the collection, status symbols splinter, bravado curdles into panic, and the performance of competence continues long after the competence itself is gone. The premises are simple. The humiliation is not.

The humor lands because it never asks you to side with these men. They remain convinced of their competence long after the evidence has vanished, and that stubborn delusion is the joke. McBride keeps just enough distance for ridicule to bite, then lets a flicker of panic show through: fear of aging, of ordinariness, of being revealed as small. He does not redeem them. He lets the bluster echo in empty space.

As short fiction, this is classic McBride in concentrate. Setup, escalation, collapse, aftermath, repeated with brisk cruelty and clean timing. As a longtime fan, I found the stories vivid, easy to stage in the mind, and impossible to confuse with anyone else’s voice. McBride’s character prose is sharper and more attentive than his reputation might suggest, rendering interior monologue and self-justification with almost painful precision even as he dismantles it. If you already enjoy his brand of ego-skewering comedy, this delivers exactly what you came for, stripped down and sharpened. A confident 4.5-star read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Noah Benner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Danny McBride's TV work, particularly Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones, I was exciting to read his first short story collection and interested to see how his writing would translate into a new medium. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these stories are very much in the vein of his screenwriting. For most of the stories, it was impossible not to hear the lead character's dialogue in McBride's unique delivery. For Gemstone fans, I suspect that many will hear Edi Patterson in their head as the abrasive female lead of the story "Gerard's Wife."

There is certainly a recurring pattern of a socially maladjusted middle-aged male lead character, usually with a contentious relationship with his female partner, who alienates everyone in his life with his defensive and ridiculous behavior, only to triumph in the end through an act of courage, often--but not always--through an act of extreme violence. What's impressive about the collection is that you still find yourself rooting for these characters. In film, McBride's usual strategy is to write unlikeable characters and have the actors find the humanity behind their bad actions. He generally manages to achieve the same thing here with insights into their psychological backgrounds.

McBride is clearly having fun with genre experimentation here, with forays into sci-fi ("RobocareTM"), body horror ("The Institute of Men"), and Cormac McCarthy-style realism ("Last Night of the Runaway Adventure"). Many of the stories are easy to imagine being adapted for the screen. These are sweaty, anxiety-ridden stories where hearts are often pounding and poor decisions predominate.

The prose is occasionally a bit clumsy, but forgivably so. I found the collection thoroughly enjoyable overall and would be interested to see McBride attempt a longer written work, as several of the stories feel like they pack in so many characters and so much plot that they could benefit from a longer treatment.

Thank you to Random House for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[MundiNova · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've had a rough year. Going full magician seems like it could be the answer."

McBride has a very specific voice, and if you already love it (The Righteous Gemstones, Vice Principals, and Your Highness), then you'll really enjoy these stories. But if you're unfamiliar with his work, you might still love these stories if you're a middle-aged man who doesn't read much fiction and spends more time fishing and watching sports than reading The New Yorker. This is the kind of book you get your father or guy friend who says, "I don't read fiction. Waste of time." Because there's a specific connection that all the men in these stories share that is immediately identifiable and tragically underrepresented in most hoity-toity literature.

These men worry about how they are seen by their friends, children, partners, family, coworkers, etc. There's an insecurity they're all trying to hide or overcome, whether it's hair loss, loss of face in public, or loss of self after a divorce. Each protagonist is deeply human and fragile, yet pivots to bravery when called upon (usually, not always). Literature needs more characters like those McBride gives us. They're hilarious and lovable in their own familiar ways. I felt like I was reading stories about my friends, family, and neighbors from the small country town I grew up in. Or stories those men would tell me, if a little far-fetched.

The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars is the writing. It's very cinematic, which makes sense given McBride's background, but it's also a little rough in parts. Inconsistent. Some stories were fantastic -- like the first and last -- while a couple felt rushed and incomplete.

If there's a young man in your life who you fear may be falling down a manosphere rabbit hole, give him this book. It's what he needs.

I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Theme: 5 stars
Writing: 3 stars

[Stewart Ehly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men
by Danny McBride
June 2026 publication date from Random House. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected eBook file of the manuscript.

Before presenting my overall comments, I would like to address the author’s other roles as an actor and comedian. When I agreed with the publisher to review the text, my decision was based on my overall enjoyment of short story collections. I realize that short stories are a challenging format to write and to read, reasons which will vary, in the case of the reader, according to personal preferences and other potential factors. Having read McBride’s book and written a brief review, I decided to check to see if any related comments had appeared on Goodreads. I was surprised to see that McBride was popular as an actor and comedian. I decided to preface my remarks that follow by confessing that I had never hear of McBride nor was familiar with the movies other reviews noted. Bottom line is that my comments are not influenced by his other work.

“Thrilling tales of modern men” firmly centers on the challenges facing men in their adult lives. The ten short stories are hard to easily categorize, but several fit within the format and style of popular mystery magazines {Ellery Queen; Alfred Hitchcock; even story illustrations resemble the look of such publications). Other offerings edge into the light-horror category. The quality of writing is generally consistent across the ten contributions, often including a sprinkling of humor. In a few instances, the story lines felt incomplete—more progress in the development of the characters would have helped. Two chapters stood out: Dad’s Way (longer than most) and The Institute of Men. The entire collection offers an easily enjoyable reading experience.
Overall rating: 3.5 rounded to 3.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Random House for providing me an advance copy of Danny McBride's satirical #shortstory collection, Thrilling Tales of Modern Men, in exchange for an honest review.

#ThrillingTalesofModernMen is a collection of short stories written across a spectrum of genres, ranging in tone from zany to nostalgic, and of course, to classic Danny McBride. As an avid fan of the author's work, I admit I am entirely biased when it comes to Kenny Powers. Nevertheless, this collection is strong on its own and demonstrates the elements that make for a good story, namely, a unique plot, distinct voice, and rhythm that keeps the reader engaged.

The book opens with a tale about a recently divorced man named, Greg, whose mid-life crisis and current state of affairs impel him to become an Illusionist. His first trick? Surviving thirty-days trapped in a glass box suspended above shoppers at a local mall. The author's voice shines the clearest in this particular story. For readers who are less enthusiastic about this fact, do not fear. The pathos, themes, and callbacks, which are cleverly interwoven through the novel, may pleasantly surprise you.

Although I enjoyed each story for various reasons, these were my favorite: Robocare, The Book Burner, The Institute of Men, Last Night of the Runaway Adventure, Mr. Liptrapp's Sword, and Dad's Way.

If you are in the mood for something humorous and/or different, then I highly recommend reading the #ThrillingTalesofModernMen. While some critics may argue that the characters are rehashed, I rebut with the analogy of Michelin judges, who only award three stars to chefs that have developed a sense of personality which resonates in their creations, or more aptly, a film director who is considered an auteur. Still unconvinced? AI could never write like Danny McBride.

[EmJustReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book was written by anyone but Danny McBride, I wouldn’t have even considered reading the blurb. BUT I’ve loved his characters, and I wanted to see how he was as a writer. Now, if the publisher produces an audiobook read by Danny I think THAT would be a hit— since the voice in my head was his voice anyways.

I liked this book for the same reason I didn’t like reading this book: the characters are annoying and irritating — like a recently divorced dad who is incapable of having a normal social interaction. The characters are awkward and practicable unbearable… but in a funny way.

If you’re viewing the story from the outside you just want to roll your eyes. BUT it did make me laugh and I wanted to quote a lot of the lines to my husband who was sitting next to me.

The stories made me uncomfortable in a way that’s comparable to Tim Robinson’s comedy. Where I don’t like the feelings I’m having while I’m watching, but I want to watch more, and I want to convince other people to watch it with me.

The RoboCare story was the most endearing to me because it would’ve been my grandfather to a tee if he was would’ve been in that situation. Cussing, telling them to get rid of it, and yelling “Privacy mode!”

Would I recommend this? …Depends on the day. It’s like when we all watched Tiger King in 2020. “What the hell am I watching?!” But also telling everyone else they need to watch it so you can trauma bond and talk about it together. It’s weird, but it will make you laugh.

I received this book as an ARC, thank you to Random House publishing. PLEASE have Danny McBride make this an audiobook!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an audacious, darkly hilarious, and unexpectedly tender debut that proves his storytelling prowess extends far beyond the screen. As a huge fan of his work on The Righteous Gemstones, I was thrilled to see that same razor-sharp wit and exploration of fragile masculinity translated so effectively into short fiction.

The collection is wonderfully weird and surreal, yet every story remains deeply human and often heartwarming. I was particularly struck by how much this reminded me of a George Saunders collection; fans of Saunders’ ability to blend the "off-the-wall" with profound emotional truths will find a lot to love here. My personal favorite was "Robocare," a brilliant story about a man facing off with a caregiver robot, but the entire roster of characters, from the amateur magician in over his head to two boys on the run, felt distinct and vividly drawn. The short story format was perfect for this kind of "wild ride" storytelling, allowing me to dive into a bizarre new world and then take a breather before the next twist.

Whether McBride is writing about a man grappling with baldness or a washed-up actor seeking revenge on a coyote, the writing is refreshing, funny, and surprisingly poignant. This is a 5/5 read for me, and a must-have for anyone who appreciates satire that isn't afraid to show a little heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance reader copy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection. It had the distinctive voice of McBride that you will recognize from his shows and movies, but it had even more depth. Many of the stories explored the question of what am I doing with my life? Several of the stories have stuck with me since reading them. “Robocare”has the absurdity that seems like the love child of a Flannery O’Connor story and Eastbound and Down, and I loved it. “The Book Burner” and “Last Night of the Runaway Adventure” may have been the two that stuck with me the most. I have found myself thinking about them regularly over the past few days. They both begin with rebellion and end with the culmination of surviving against all the hell life throws at you. “The Institute of Men” made me seriously reconsider my hair vitamins. There wasn’t a story in the collection that I didn’t like. “The Illusionist” may be the weakest story in the collection, and while many others may have tried to hide it in the middle, McBride starts with it. The way in which it depicts the human condition is stronger than its plot, and I think that was what McBride was going for. The collection only gets better from there. I recommend this for any fan of McBride, but I also recommend it in general. It was a breath of fresh air.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Sam Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAHHHHH!

Can I please give this a million stars???? I am beyond myself that I was even granted access to read this collection, and I must have done something right somewhere recently in order to be so lucky! YOU KNOW I had to drop everything to start the Thrilling Tales of Modern Men, crafted by one of my favorite writers of all time. The genius behind Righteous Gemstones doesn't write crappy stories, and that statement is proven right throughout these pages.

I am so thankful to Danny McBride, Random House, and NetGalley for advanced digital access before this baby hits shelves on June 23, 2026. EEE!

McBride gives us horror, unsettling sequences, laughable narration, and brutally fantastical scenarios in which men are humiliated, ridiculed, and idolized, all in this humorous satire!

From the man in the suspended cube floating above a mall, to GI Joe History teacher who came across an ancient sword that talks to him, to even more somber tales of a sitcom cast reunited and two brother-like pals journeying across the wasteland, there's really some joy in it all.

I wish Rough House Pictures would film these stories for an anthology tv series, or movie, or something, because heck, I was cackling! Job well done. 1648593/5 stars in my book.

[Kelly Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my usual genre/format, but I was pleasantly surprised by McBride’s storytelling! Each short story was not at all what I was expecting from this collection, as I went in thinking it was going to be mostly heroic, “macho man” type of stories. I mean “thrilling tales of modern men”? And the cover? I thought dudes would be fighting tigers and shit lmao.

Boyyyy was I wrong. I couldn’t help but imagine almost every character as Tim Robinson in my mind. Meaning, the men in these short stories are often willfully obtuse & unhinged (in a hilariously uncomfortable way). Some of the stories also roll into the territory of “Black Mirror” episodes, which I found interesting & intriguing (and also uncomfortable, as Black Mirror is so often unsettling and evokes a sense of creeping dread).

All in all there are a couple of “flop” stories in my opinion, but the good outweighs this bad with this short story collection. I am impressed by Danny McBride’s writing chops and can appreciate the deeper themes of insecurity and fragile masculinity disguised with humorous storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an advanced copy of Thrilling Tales of Modern Men in exchange for an honest review.

[Marissa F · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed by this book. I LOVE Danny McBride's television work because he specializes in creating hilariously insufferable, obnoxious, toxic men who are forced to grow and improve in spite of themselves.

In "Thrilling Tales of Modern Men", the men are indeed insufferable , obnoxious and toxic to varying degrees, but manage to fail up enough to avoid facing any real consequences for their actions. (Which, I suppose, is truly the most "modern" thing I can think of.) In fact, in each of the first 3 stories, these terrible men are considered "heroes" by the conclusion.

It's just so exhausting. More self-aggrandizing bullshit men being given the spotlight for doing terrible things. Who needs a redemption arc? That's not MODERN!

I added one star because it's well-written. In the first story, I recognized and appreciated a character with a Jesse-Gemstone-style manner of speaking and very much enjoyed that aspect. The other star is in honor of McBride's previous work.

DNF at 40%, when I figured out that these men weren't going to change. How meta.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

[Ruth Robertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up because a dear friend I lost a few years ago loves Danny McBride, and it brought a smile to my face reading this while remembering her. However, if you are not a big Danny McBride fan, this probably isn't the short story collection for you--and it just wasn't for me.

It started out strong with 'The Illusionist,' a story about a recently-divorced man who decides to become a magician and perform a monthlong stunt in the mall that absolutely no one cares about. This was full of McBride's signature wit and idiosyncratic dialogue that we love in his shows like 'Righteous Gemstones.' From there, 'Robocare TM,' 'The Vicious Kind,' and 'The Book Burner' were fun, but with each story that passed, they diminished in humor and/or payout for me.

Diehard fans will love this; casual readers will find it hit and miss. 2.5 stars from me, rounded down. Many thanks to Random House for the ARC via NetGalley!

[Geonn Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew Danny McBride had this many crazy characters still locked in his head?

Normally when you see a celebrity's name on the front of the book, you automatically wonder who ACTUALLY did the writing. With Danny McBride, he has enough TV writing credits I was willing to believe it was actually his work. Once I started reading it was blatantly obvious it was his work. So many of the characters sounded like Jesse Gemstone I had no doubt who was behind it. If you're a fan of how the Gemstones constantly dig themselves into deeper and deeper holes, you're going to love the men in this book. Well. Not LOVE. But you're going to enjoy watching them grasping for handholds as they sink in quicksand that they made for themselves.

Overall there was only one story (the hair one) that I didn't particularly enjoy, but that's a pretty solid hit rate even for an established author.

[Reading Xennial · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a really well done collection of short stories. As with all collections there’s some that are better than others. I would say I had more hits than misses. I didn’t know who Danny McBride was before reading this, but I looked him up after and I do recognize him from a few movies. He’s not a main character actor, but he has own distinct style. Once I knew who he was, this book made a lot more sense. This is written well and I didn’t know he wasn’t an author first. If you like McBride’s acting and how he portrays characters then this book is for you. I enjoyed my time and I was glad I was asked to read this because I don’t know if I would’ve picked it up otherwise. It was a fun time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for asking me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Zach Stetson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed and was surprisingly moved by some of these stories. I think my favorite one was the book burner. I really enjoyed how it almost felt like this stand off between three men, one of which sort of wants nothing to do with it. The things masculinity makes people do can be so outlandish and unreasonable while also making sense in a very messed up way. Even though some of the stories veer into the supernatural they almost always felt grounded in a real emotion or a real psychological issue that men may have. There were for sure some of the stories I liked and connected with more than others. Then ones I liked the most left me feeling very emotional in a deep unexplainable way by the end. I also like that McBride chose to often leave things slightly unresolved in a way that felt that it wasn't dumbing down too much. Really enjoyable read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Danny McBride fan like me, this book is such a blast. The stories are dark, ridiculous, and completely unpredictable—in the best way. It honestly feels like the same chaotic energy from his shows, just in short story form, and I loved every second of it.

McBride is just one of those creators who seems to be good at everything—writing, acting, producing, comedy, even horror. His voice is so distinct and these stories prove it works just as well on the page as it does on screen.

Seriously… is there anything Danny McBride can’t do? Easy 5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with a digital ARC prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

If you're familiar with Danny McBride's characters on Eastbound & Down and The Righteous Gemstones, you'll be familiar with 75% of the stories and characters here. Brash, loud, unflinchingly honest, full of themselves, and yes, funny, the stories truly reflect that persona perfectly and in an unpredictable way.

There are also moments of quiet, reflective imagery, and surprisingly thoughtful masculinity which totally surprised me, and hinted at unseen depths.

I really liked most of these stories, which I didn't think I would, and am left with a new appreciation of the talent of Danny McBride.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Maya Castillo Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC.

I was trying to figure out how to describe this book when I came across this quote from him about it: “These stories aren’t here to fix men. They’re here to watch them spiral out of control, eat shit, get back up, and occasionally do something accidentally decent.” That’s exactly it— and it totally matches what I’d expect.
Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is weird (a mall magician, a washed-up actor on a revenge mission, etc). It’s all about ego, self-delusion, and the gap between who these men think they are and who they actually are. Sometimes they redeem themselves. Sometimes they don’t.
Some stories are stronger than others, and the stronger ones really land. Overall: sharp, strange, absurd, and really great.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to be very clear about this. I am not this book's target audience. Middle aged men are not my narrator of choice. Awkward middle aged men with strange hobbies and a strong whiff of desperation coming off them are definitely not my jam.

That said, this author is clearly a smart man. He makes you believe these are real humans in his stories. It may be because of his background, but they are very realistic and they feel like individual TV episodes or movies. Maybe some of them are a bit out there, but they're not totally unbelievable. Anyone that can write little self contained short stories gets extra points from me.

This may not be right for my audience exactly, but I know some guys that would probably enjoy them.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones, so I was really looking forward to this collection. I liked the first few stories a lot more than the last few. They felt more like the kind of thing I'm used to from Danny McBride. I think maybe I would of liked most of the stories more if they were longer. And I think a lot of his characters are better seen on TV rather than in books.

• The Illusionist- 5/5
• Robocare- 4.5/5
• The Vicious Kind- 4.5/5
• The Book Burner- 4/5
• The Institute of Men- 3/5
• Last Night of the Runaway Adventure- 3.5/5
• Gerald's Wife- 2/5
• Mr. Liptrapp's Sword- 3/5
• Fun Run- 3.5/5
• Dad's Way: A Hilarious '90s Sitcom- 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 3.5

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each of these short stories has the exact same plot: loser middle-age man does something incredibly stupid and cringy but redeems himself accidentally at the last moment. At least it's kind of a funny one. Danny McBride, who I know best as actor/writer on the Righteous Gemstones, essentially has written a kind of jazz riff on the characters that he plays; you can almost hear their dialogues in McBride's voice. From divorcees trying to survive in a glass box in the mall for thirty days, through fathers glumly exploring masculinity with their sons, the modern men aren't so much thrilling as depressing in a wincingly amusing sort of way. One could connect McBride's theme with the complaints that modern dads don't get much sympathy nowadays, that they're all comical losers a la Married with Children. That complaint isn't entirely wrong.

[liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love danny mcbride’s sense of humor so i knew i had to read his debut collection of short stories & i had a blast doing it! though not every story is comedic, there is always a little snippet of his humor to be found.

these ten short stories follow ‘modern men’ and the odd situations they get themselves into. there is a common theme of flawed characters (you guys know i’m a SUCKER for a flawed character) and it makes for messy, chaotic, and very human stories. out of the ten, my favorites were the institute of men, the book burner, the vicious kind, and the illusionist. a pretty freaking solid debut!

thank you to netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Katie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need to let Danny McBride do whatever he wants forever!!!!

If you're a fan of his work, this is a perfect collection of short stories. Honestly if this collection was written by anyone else, I don't know that I would have liked it, or even picked it up. Danny McBride has such a clear voice and vision that it is so easy to imagine exactly who these characters are meant to be. Like with any short story collection, some are stronger than others, but overall it's well written and well paced. I didn't find myself dragging my feet to make it through any of these stories.

[Jennifer Ostenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men follows ten different short stories of flawed men making horrible decisions while going through difficult life changes (divorce, aging, getting laid off, etc.). I really enjoyed most of the stories, while some characters were too angry and insecure that I had a hard time sympathizing with them. You could definitely hear McBride’s voice in some entries and even imagine him playing the role of the male lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I rated this 3.5 stars and rounded up to 4 stars.

[CB Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Danny McBride and his flawed, overly confident to a fault characters I guarantee you’ll immediately love this book of short stories. I was able to hear McBride’s voice as I read the dialogue, the writing the same tone and timing McBride is known for combines with the over the top/magical realism/sci fi plotlines. I devoured this one and laughed out loud multiple times. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC