| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
His first book was a collection of stories, also called The Pugilist at Rest. The stories deal with the common themes of mortality and pain, with characters that often find a kind of solace in the rather pessimistic philosophy of Schopenhauer. Boxing, absent or mentally ill fathers, physical trauma and the Vietnam War are also recurring motifs. The book was a National Book Award finalist.
His other books include Sonny Liston Was a Friend of Mine and Cold Snap.