Ben Fountain

Ben Fountain is an award-winning author from Chapel Hill, North Carolina who has written three books of fiction, each of which has earned him literary acclaim. His books tell stories that combine the themes of Southern culture and the modern world, taking readers on an emotionally-charged journey. His writing has been praised for its humor and its use of real-life events to address social issues.

Fountain's first book, Brief Encounters With Che Guevara, was released in 2006 and received the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction novelists. The book contains six novellas that center around contemporary people living in a post war American society, who are faced with struggling economies and a population disillusioned with the American Dream. In the novellas, Fountain takes these characters and takes them to countries as varied as Egypt and Cuba where they question the authenticity of their lives, while struggling to understand their place in the world.

His second book, Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk, was released in 2012 and was the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award. The story follows the life of Billy Lynn, a 19-year-old soldier, who is part of the bravest platoon in the United States Army. After suffering a traumatic injury in war, the Army brings the platoon on a tour of the States for a publicity tour, which provides the reader with a view of the military and the psychological processes which soldiers encounter upon returning from war. The novel is a satirical portrait of contemporary life in the United States.

Fountain's third and most recent book, Beautiful Country Burn Again, was released in 2018 and concerns itself with modern day American politics. In the book, a group of characters are brought together to discuss their experiences with the American Dream, a divisive concept in US politics. By exploring cultural and socioeconomic issues such as racism, poverty, gun violence, and marriage equality, the novel highlights the darker aspects of America, while also allowing for moments of optimism and humor.

Fountain has earned numerous awards for his writing, including the Wallace Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University, the Texas Institute of Letters Award, and the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award. His work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Times Literary Supplement, Granta, and many other publications.

Fountain's writing is sophisticated and sharp, focusing on the complexity of society and the human experience. His books bring attention to serious American issues, while also delivering a touch of humor and a critique of modern life. His books allow readers to take a journey through his imaginative worlds, and to explore different aspects of contemporary American life. In short, Ben Fountain is a unique, multifaceted and highly acclaimed writer who is revolutionizing our understanding of the American Dream.