From the tale of Lady, the mare who read a Duke University psychologist's mind, to television palomino Mr. Ed's hypnotic hold over Wilbur Post, the 13 tales in Horse Show explore how humans have used, abused, and spectacularized their equine companions throughout American history. Wrestling with themes of obsolescence, grief, and nostalgia, Bowers guides us through her museum of equine esoterica with arresting imagery, unflinching intensity, and dark humor.
"Bowers' writing is ridiculously smart and meticulous, but also lyrical and driven by the story itself. Horse Show forces a reader to examine the history of abuse and spectacle of horses, but it also shows how horses have come to be companions. Bowers shows us the best and the worst of the historical relationship between man and equine, and you don't need to be a horse lover to thoroughly enjoy and become engrossed in this short collection." -Electric Literature, "The Most Exciting Debut Short Story Collections of 2024"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jess Bowers lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she works as an Associate Professor of English at Maryville University. But she's originally from York, Pennsylvania, the first capital of the United States (so they say) and hometown of 90s rock darlings Live (that one's true).
A winner of Laurel Review's Midwest Short Fiction Prize and the Winter Anthology Prize, her debut collection, HORSE SHOW, was recently named one of "The Most Exciting Debut Short Story Collections of 2024" by Electric Literature.
In her free time, she likes to think about the hungry ghosts of silent Hollywood while riding her little yellow pony through the woods. She also watches far too much T.V.
