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, Humor, Audiobook, Collections, Ebooks, Literature

368 pages, Hardcover

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is what the kids these days mean when they call something "peak". This book knocked it out of the damn park! The opening novella was perfect, chef's kiss, and the rest of the stories coasted off the goodwill it generated. It's one of the best audiobooks I've ever encountered, with voice actors ranging from Walton Goggins and John Goodman to even Eric Andre, who gave a beautifully unhinged performance of a mental breakdown.

It says these stories are for men, but Danny McBride is such a sex symbol that obviously the ladies will want to read it as well, and they're more than invited! It's time to reclaim the Manosphere from all the creepy little incels, kick the misogynists out and make it about re-embracing a love of badass storytelling. We can have a Manosphere with women in it, right? It can't only be dudes who are sick of how sanitized modern media has grown.

[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.

[Devon Gilbreath · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Listen, some of these stories are 5 stars. Peak Danny McBride humor. Others land closer to the 2 star range. Not bad, just not great.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC of Thrilling Tales for Modern Men! While I had an ebook copy, I jumped at the chance to listen to a part of the audiobook when it released today. Any fans of The Righteous Gemstones will know what a superb narrator lineup this has: Danny McBride himself, Walton Goggins, Edi Patterson, JOHN GOODMAN! And others. Lol

My favorite story in the collection is RoboCare, one of the stories narrated by John Goodman. You can bet I fired up Spotify to listen to that one even after I’d already read it.

My recommendation is if you’re a Danny McBride fan, 🤚🏻 absolutely give this a try. But I’m convinced the audiobook is the way to experience it.

[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)

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t even notice or connect who the author was to this book before I started to read it. I decided to read it based on the cover and title alone. Like many of my other books, I switched back and forth between the audio and the text. While listening to part of the book, the narrator seemed familiar. After the 2nd short story, I looked up who read each story. Only then did I find out who the author was. I’ve watched The Righteous Gemstones and Vice Principals and enjoyed both, but couldn’t say I follow or really know much about Danny McBride. If you randomly asked me who he was, I wouldn’t know until you showed me his picture. That changes as a result from reading this book. I mention this because I began reading this book with no presumption. I thought the book might be like Saunders’ Pastoralia.

Like full music albums,with short story collections, there are usually a few additions I enjoy enough that the rest of the stories get pulled along and tolerated. It’s rare for me to enjoy more than about 3 stories per collection. This book didn’t feel that way: few stories I could do without. That said, I do have my favorites.

My only critique is that some of the end stories were not quite as entertaining as the beginning ones (but still good), and I wish I could buy an edited version without the swearing so I could read some of the stories with my High School English classes.

Oh - Also - I cannot recommend the audiobook more. It would shock me if not nominated for an audible award for a multicast. Listen to the audio.
Buy the book too. Look at the structure, the pictures; they add a dimension you will miss without seeing it.
So very good.

Is this my first 5 star book this year? Not quite. There was Night (which I first read years ago) and Broken Country. Another favorite this year, though not quite a 5, Yesteryear.

[kera rodshuf · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨3.5 Stars

This is a satirical tale of short stories in which we often follow many types of men, often with many shortcomings, and they all usually think they’re better than they are.

This is a hilarious reflection of the “modern man” and its making fun of them in a tasteful way. I was hesitant because usually misandrist media makes me feel hypocritical, but this really was tasteful.

Some of the stories were simply better than others, “The Institute of Men” was the most entertaining and my favorite by far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House🤍

[Emmett LiCastri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun & easy to read collection of unique short stories. Would love for Danny McBride to continue writing!

[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.

[alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“That made Burt laugh. Ben would totally freak out if he blew a bum’s head off and the blood splattered on him. That’s totally something he could picture Ben doing. Ben, still on the road. Maybe all the way to California by now. Maybe even killed a man.

He missed Ben.”

Danny McBride has such a clear, consistent comedic voice that if you like his shows, you WILL like these. A genuinely very funny collection that’s rife with expertise on struggling, soon-to-be divorced men in over their heads, loser dads pinning their misdemeanor crimes on their sons, and guys who shouldn’t own a gun revealing that they do in fact own a gun. The second short story, RoboCare, felt the weakest to me, but he enters his flow state during The Illusionist, The Vicious Kind, and parts of The Institute of Men (the substance for boys).

Stylistically he’s definitely still writing for the screen, so it was hard not to picture Edi Patterson and Walton Goggins alongside him. Also I JUST looked up the audiobook cast and I feel extremely validated right now

[Amelia Dupont · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up! Really enjoyed this short story collection and look forward to future releases from McBride.

Would recommend to fans of short stories with elements of magical realism, light sci-fi, and a focus on the human (mainly male) condition.

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

mainly for the Danny McBride completists out there

[Patrick Bowlby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome. Would love if HBO let Danny McBride make this an anthology series

[Josh Darretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have received an ARC ebook version of this debut Danny McBride book from Random House. It was fantastic. I went in knowing nothing other than it being short stories and nothing else. Being a fan of Danny's other work, this was a must-read for me.

The mix of comedy, horror and real human experiences in the later stories was so well done. Reading the comedy ones with Danny's voice in my head made them that much more entertaining. Those had vibes of his comedy work; over the top, boring people doing nonsensical things. The horror ones ended so well and made me want more. I hope he continues writing books and stories like these.

I would love to see an anthology show put out by him as these one-off stories would translate so well into the comedy likes of Danny and people like Tim Robinson. These stories would translate fantastically to the screen.

The stories range from true short stories spanning an hour or so of reading, to brief glimpses into a day or three that you can read through in a brief coffee break. The way he was able to build believable and memorable characters along with a storyline in those shorter ones further proves his prowess at writing.

Highly recommend this for anyone to read whether you like comedy, horror, existential dread, or any genre as they all get touched upon in one way or another.

[Joanna DiCioccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It always tickles me when a thriller manages to inject humor in a natural way, and this collection pulls that off nicely. Beneath a dark humor is a sharp examination of men, their fragile egos, and the surprising amount of destruction that can stem from pride and vanity.

Most of the stories explore the ways male insecurity can ripple outward, affecting families, relationships, and innocent bystanders.

There’s also an unsettling story involving AI robots that had me thinking, “Nope”. And honestly, f*ck AI. I think the author is on board with that.

My favorite story is The Institute of Men. Very Stephen King inspired. Let’s just say that vanity can get a little... hairy. It perfectly captures the collection’s blend of satire, humor, and underlying horror.

Darkly funny, clever, and often uncomfortable in the best way, these stories hold up a funhouse mirror to modern masculinity whilst giving the reader a chuckle.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy of this collection of short stories about men of the modern age, the ways the make life difficult for themselves and others, the self-destruction, the bad thinking, written by a man with a keen sense of the world, masculinity and a grand sense of humor.

There is a picture of my father, at his birthday either age five or six, dressed in western wear, a six-gun a hat on top of a pony. To the best of my recollection the only westerns we ever watched were Blazing Saddles over and over. I remember nothing about John Wayne, nor any lessons learned from cowboys. In fact I remember nothing in the way of conversations about masculinity, how to be a man, or anything like that. My Dad liked to laugh, loved to see his kids happy, and loved to make my Mom happy. Toxic masculinity was not something he thought about. He would probably call those people a body part and move on. However, again as I guy who loved to laugh he would have enjoyed these stories. I can see him trying to tell me about this collection, laughing as he shared his favorite parts with me, but adding, these people are jokes right, nobody thinks this way. Sadly in reading this I could see a lot of people I knew. And in the hands of a very good storyteller I could laugh and wince, both siding the issue. Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is a collection of short stories by multi-hyphenate Danny McBride is a mirror placed on our culture, written by an author who has played these characters, lived in their pants, and shares what he has learned.

The book is 10 stories, with illustrations of men who are not behaving badly, just that they don't know any other way to behave. They are selfish, vindictive, petty, small, in some cases trying to get better, but while unhappy with their state, too lazy to move on. A divorced man, becoming a magician, living his life in a mall, under glass. A sitcom star with a vendetta. Guys who choke on boats drinking beer. People that one would jaywalk across a busy avenue with hundreds of Waymo's driving around looking for a clue. There is a lot of honesty here, and a lot of sadness. Of dreams never really promised, but still the expectation was there. Of the 21st century not having rocket cars, hover-skateboards or a place for many of us anymore.

This is a surprisingly strong collection. One goes into a celebrity book with certain expectations, not all of them good. Big advances, soon to be on remainder tables everywhere. McBride thought has delivered a group of stories that deal with men, but all with different themes, and presentation. One expects a funny story, but some of these are sad, a bit brutal, a bit meandering, until they are not. Usually I skip a story or two, everything can't be for everyone, but this one I read everything. Some still were not for me, but I appreciated the work, and more importantly the craft. McBride really went for the fences here, and this collection really shows it. I look forward to longer works by McBride, either a novel, or even an essay collection. McBride has much to say, and has a real gift for sharing ideas.

[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.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men by Danny McBride is a short story collection about growing up. Now, this is Danny McBride from Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, and The Righteous Gemstones, so most of the characters are grown men trapped in the man-child stage who still have some growing up to do.

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men comprises ten short stories and novellas. The lengths vary, but the stories are all very readable and never drag.

The stories all have an underlying sense of humor that reminded me of the Coen Brothers and Elmore Leonard. The humor is what worked in every story. Even the ones that weren't my favorites still managed to make me laugh.

I'm not a big audiobook fan, but when I found out Danny McBride had assembled an entire cast from The Righteous Gemstones for the audiobook, I had to give it a listen. The cast includes McBride himself, John Goodman, Adam Devine, Walton Goggins, Eric André, Edi Patterson, and others.

The stories are all set in the real world, with most involving some type of crime. One story dips into science fiction, another is a coming-of-age tale, and another is an action story full of explosions.

My favorite story, hands down, was "The Illusionist," where a man in the middle of a divorce suddenly decides to become an illusionist without putting in any of the work. The story goes in completely unexpected directions and was a lot of fun. "The Institute of Man" and "Last Night of the Runaway Adventure" were my other two favorites.

If you're a fan of Danny McBride's work, including The Foot Fist Way, Vice Principals, Eastbound & Down, and The Righteous Gemstones, you won't be let down by this collection. Several stories feel like lost episodes from those shows.

Recommendation:

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is thrilling for the most part and is a very fast, enjoyable read. I compared McBride's writing style to Elmore Leonard and the Coen Brothers because of the way they capture flawed people and their obsessions through dialogue and humor.

If you're already a fan of Danny McBride's television shows and movies, this collection is an easy recommendation. If you're unfamiliar with his work, I still think it's worth giving a chance. The stories are funny, readable, and showcase his unique voice beyond television.

[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.

[Ladybird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review! Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is out June 23rd! Thank you!

*slaps roof of book* This bad boy can fit so many dumbasses in it. Danny McBride presents us with a collection that puts the self inflicted idiocy of men into a Nelson and waits for the tap out.

You may know McBride from when he starred in Eastbound and Down or The Righteous Gemstones, but you may not know Danny is the lead writer of these shows, among many others. I had no idea before I read this. So, I’ll be blunt, as someone who has read quite frankly an alarming amount of books, including quite the array of ones from celebrities, I was expecting a ghostwriter to step in and fluff the pillows on the bed. I don’t say that disparagingly, stories should be told, and often many benefit from having a ghostwriter gently (or aggressively, depending) guide them. That’s not what’s happening here. At all. I had no idea McBride was so prominent in the writers room of all his shows, but it is made crystal clear to me reading this collection of stories. His authorial voice is so prominent that I read a review that said it was “too much” and they couldn’t stop reading it in is voice. To this I say- do your best pelican impersonation and cram an entire sock drawer in it. You want LESS authorial voice? Please uninvolve me in your recommendations immediately. Is it a potent dose? Yes. And I’ll take it without a chaser, thanks. If you love the satirical voice of Danny McBride and the way he lets characters pick themselves apart by their own shortcomings, you are going to love this variety show display of the weaponized immaturity of grown modern men. I cackled. Reset my brain like a Dell 2013 desktop.

Have you SEEN the audiobook lineup of everyone who is narrating this??? Smash. SMASH. I absolutely can’t wait to hear the boat monologue. Let’s GO!

[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.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny McBride is an actor, screenwriter, creator, and producer best known to me through his series, The Righteous Gemstones, Vice-Principals, and Eastbound & Down. Thrilling Tales of Modern Men is his first collection of 10 short stories, and from the first, “The Illusionist,” through the last, “Dad’s Way: A Hilarious ‘90s Sitcom,” I could hear his voice in every word. Am I, a 72-year-old woman, the target audience? Doubtful, but my 36-year-old son has been a fan of his for years, and I wanted to read this collection to see how McBride’s very distinct voice translated to the page (yes, my son was impressed, and I’ve already pre-ordered a copy for him).

While yes, I liked some stories more than others, what I really enjoyed was the insight into the male psyche. The friendships, partnerships, interactions with their kids, family members, and co-workers, among others, highlight insecurities, humanity, male ego, and fragility. I read a lot of women’s fiction, so reading a different perspective (whether accepting a divorce, hair loss, or dealing with public or private humiliation) was enlightening. Much like McBride’s shows and films, some characters are insufferable and obnoxious, while these stories are at turns irreverent, crude, absurd, and yes, hilarious. I laughed and also felt uncomfortable and sad at the same time. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.

[Kelli C · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5

"Hilarious, razor-sharp, unexpectedly emotional, and full of wild twists and turns, the stories in Thrilling Tales of Modern Men are like nothing else. And yet they have one thing in common—each probes the fragile masculinity that has become an inescapable part of modern American culture. In this audacious and unforgettable debut collection, McBride redefines the tale of the modern man."

McBride clearly knows this archetype inside and out. His protagonists are often the kind of men who believe themselves to be misunderstood legends when they are really just one bad decision away from humiliation (or catastrophe). The strongest stories lean into that tension, balancing absurdity with just enough emotional self-awareness to keep them from becoming one-note sketches.

That said, as with most collections, not every story lands with equal force. A few feel more committed to the bit than to saying anything particularly insightful, but even the weaker entries are carried by McBride’s sharp sense of voice and willingness to let things get gloriously weird.
If your tolerance for toxic male buffoonery remains intact, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Think literary fiction by way of The Righteous Gemstones writer’s room: crass, unexpectedly melancholy, and deeply interested in the performance of masculinity.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House for the ARC.