Thomas McGuane is Writing the Most Vital Literature of the Trump Era

For over half a century, Thomas McGuane has been producing novels, stories, and nonfiction that primarily focus on subjects like horses and fishing. His works often evoke the landscapes of rural Montana and Florida, as well as small-town America, where time seems to move at a slower pace. Despite his numerous accolades, McGuane remains underrated and underread, with many of his readers disagreeing with this assessment.

In his latest collection, "A Wooded Shore," McGuane presents a collection of short stories that might just be the most vital literature of the Trump era. The stories are set in rural areas and small towns, where the characters struggle to navigate life in the face of historical polarization and democratic backsliding. McGuane's writing style is plainspoken and wry, providing a counter to the hyperbole of the MAGA movement.

One of the stories in "A Wooded Shore" follows a politician who is on a get-out-the-vote tour in Montana. As he drives through the town, he reflects on the town's political divide and the social issues that have led to the formation of the divide. The politician's interactions with the townspeople, particularly his attempts to reconnect with an old friend and his awkward encounter with the fetching adult daughter of a local man, highlight the disconnect between the politician's outward charm and his inability to genuinely connect with those around him.

McGuane's characters are often deeply flawed, yet he portrays them with compassion and an understanding of their struggles. His writing style is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy, with a focus on the natural world and the human experience. However, unlike McCarthy, McGuane's work is set in a time of great political turmoil and societal division, making his stories all the more relevant and poignant.

Despite his success, McGuane remains largely underread, a fact that is perhaps due to his focus on the "sunburnt otherwhere," a phrase coined by W.H. Auden to describe rural America. This geographic isolation may have contributed to McGuane's relative obscurity, but it also allows his work to stand out for its unflinching portrayal of small-town America and its inhabitants.

In short, Thomas McGuane's "A Wooded Shore" is a powerful collection of short stories that offer a unique perspective on America in the Trump era. Through his plainspoken, wry writing style and his deep understanding of the human condition, McGuane provides a much-needed counterpoint to the hyperbole of the MAGA movement and offers a glimpse into the lives of those who are left behind by the political and social changes of our time.