Night of the Living Rez – Morgan Talty

A stunning debut that crackles with raw honesty and unexpected tenderness, Night of the Living Rez introduces Morgan Talty as one of the most vital new voices in contemporary fiction. This linked story collection pulls you into the lives of the Penobscot people in Maine, where survival means navigating the complicated terrain between tradition and modernity, hope and heartbreak.

At the heart of these stories is David, a young man grappling with family addiction, cultural identity, and the weight of history on stolen land. Talty writes with a fierce intimacy that never flinches from difficult truths—whether it’s the grip of opioid addiction, the complexity of Indigenous identity, or the stubborn persistence of love in the face of everything.

What makes this collection extraordinary is Talty’s ability to find humor and humanity in the darkest moments. These characters aren’t symbols or statistics; they’re your neighbors, your family, your friends. They make mistakes. They try again. They endure.

A National Bestseller and winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, this book has earned widespread critical acclaim. The New York Times calls it “a revelation,” while readers have praised its unforgettable characters and Talty’s gorgeous, gut-punch prose.

Perfect for fans of Tommy Orange’s There There and Louise Erdrich’s work, Night of the Living Rez is the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a powerful reminder of why we read: to see ourselves, to understand others, and to witness the resilience of the human spirit.