"Tenth of December" Summary

Introduction

Imagine a book that makes you laugh out loud, gasp in horror, and rethink every assumption you’ve ever made about kindness, mortality, and what it means to be human—all within the span of a single story collection. That’s exactly what George Saunders delivers in "Tenth of December," his award-winning collection of short stories. Released in 2013, this book quickly became a literary sensation, cementing Saunders as one of the sharpest, funniest, and most compassionate voices in contemporary fiction. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to peer into the ordinary lives of Americans and find something extraordinary, this is the book for you.

With his signature blend of satire, dark humor, and deep empathy, Saunders explores everything from suburban malaise to futuristic dystopias. College students and lecturers alike will find rich ground for analysis—think identity, class, morality, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. Saunders doesn’t just tell stories; he invites us to question the boundaries of our own empathy.

Historical Context

"Tenth of December" emerges from the early 21st-century American landscape—a society grappling with economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and increasing social fragmentation. Post-9/11 anxieties, the lingering effects of the Great Recession, and the rise of hyper-individualism all seep into Saunders’ stories.

He draws inspiration from both the real world and literary forebears like Kurt Vonnegut and Raymond Carver. Saunders’ background in engineering and his experience at a Texas oil field also color his vision of American work, family, and the subtle forms of violence and hope that shape ordinary lives.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

"Tenth of December" is not a novel but a collection of ten short stories. Each story stands on its own, featuring unique characters and settings, but they are united by themes of vulnerability, moral dilemmas, and the everyday struggle to do the right thing—often against daunting odds.

From a boy imagining himself a hero in “Victory Lap,” to a terminally ill man’s final act of grace in the titular “Tenth of December,” Saunders’ characters teeter on the edge of despair and salvation. His stories often set up seemingly simple situations, only to subvert expectations and expose the raw emotional truths underneath.

Setting

Saunders’ stories are set in a variety of locations, from suburban neighborhoods and corporate offices to near-future dystopias and fantastical landscapes. The atmosphere oscillates between the surreal and the painfully real. His America is instantly recognizable but always askew—a place where ordinary people are forced to grapple with extraordinary ethical quandaries.

Main Characters

Below is a table summarizing key characters from several major stories in the collection:

Saunders’ characters are instantly relatable, not because they’re heroic, but because they’re flawed in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar.

Plot Summary

“Victory Lap”

The collection opens with “Victory Lap,” a darkly comic story about two teenagers, Alison and Kyle, living next door to each other. Alison, sheltered and full of fanciful daydreams, is suddenly thrust into a terrifying situation when a would-be kidnapper enters her home. Kyle, neurotic and bound by his parents’ rigid rules, witnesses the event and faces a split-second decision: intervene or keep following the rules. The story’s tension comes from the contrast between the inner lives of these two characters and the external crisis that forces them to act.

“Sticks”

A haunting micro-story, “Sticks” explores the life of a father who expresses himself through the decoration of a metal pole in his yard. Each holiday, he dresses it up; each family milestone, he marks it with a new adornment. The story is a poignant meditation on loneliness, missed connections, and the small, wordless rituals that define a family.

“Puppy”

“Puppy” juxtaposes two mothers from different socioeconomic backgrounds. One is overburdened, desperate to give her troubled son a better life; the other is judgmental, convinced of her own moral superiority. Their brief encounter over the possible sale of a puppy becomes a powerful commentary on parenthood, empathy, and the assumptions we make about each other.

“Escape from Spiderhead”

Set in a near-future prison facility, this story follows Jeff, a test subject for experimental mood-altering drugs. Under the watchful eye of Abnesti, a paternal but chilling scientist, Jeff is forced to make excruciating choices about love, pain, and free will. The story raises disturbing questions about ethics, autonomy, and the limits of scientific progress.

“Exhortation”

Presented as a memo from a middle manager to his team, “Exhortation” is a satirical look at corporate culture and the pressure to maintain positivity at any cost. The story’s gradually escalating absurdity reveals the underlying cruelty and desperation of modern work life.

“Al Roosten”

Al Roosten, the titular character, is a small-town business owner participating in a charity auction. Throughout the event, he battles jealousy, insecurity, and self-doubt, especially in comparison to his more successful rival. The story is a painfully funny exploration of self-worth and the quiet, everyday heroism of simply showing up.

“The Semplica Girl Diaries”

Told through diary entries, this story introduces us to a middle-class father who longs to provide his family with the luxuries that wealthier neighbors enjoy. The family’s purchase of “Semplica Girls”—migrant women hired as living lawn ornaments—serves as a biting satire of consumerism, privilege, and the casual dehumanization embedded in modern society.

“Home”

A soldier returns from war to find his family in disarray. Ted’s rage, confusion, and sense of alienation are palpable as he struggles to reconnect with his mother and children. The story is a raw, unflinching look at the psychological scars of war.

“My Chivalric Fiasco”

In a corporate medieval theme park, a janitor named Ted is promoted after witnessing a crime—and forced to take a drug that compels him to act out chivalric ideals. The result is both hilarious and tragic, as Ted’s new sense of honor collides with the cynical realities of his workplace.

“Tenth of December”

The collection concludes with its title story, following Don Eber, a terminally ill man wandering into the woods to end his life. There, he encounters Robin, a young boy who unwittingly becomes involved in Don’s fate. The story is a masterful meditation on courage, compassion, and the profound impact of even the smallest acts of kindness.

Themes and Motifs

Central Themes

Motifs

• Voice and Interior Monologue: Saunders often uses stream-of-consciousness and fragmented thoughts to reveal characters’ inner turmoil.
• Corporate and Bureaucratic Language: Many stories parody the empty language of memos, self-help, and advertising.
• Surreal Elements: From mind-altering drugs to living lawn ornaments, Saunders injects elements of the bizarre into familiar settings.

Literary Techniques and Style

Saunders is renowned for his innovative literary style. Here’s how he crafts his unique narrative voice:

• Multiple Perspectives: Saunders frequently shifts between characters’ viewpoints, providing a kaleidoscopic sense of reality.
• Satirical Tone: His stories blend humor with biting social critique, often using exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of modern life.
• Minimalism and Precision: Especially in short pieces like “Sticks,” Saunders demonstrates a mastery of concise, impactful prose.
• Emotional Intensity: Even in the strangest situations, Saunders never loses sight of his characters’ humanity. His writing elicits both laughter and heartbreak in equal measure.

Author's Background

George Saunders was born in 1958 in Amarillo, Texas, and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He studied geophysical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and later earned an MFA in creative writing from Syracuse University, where he now teaches.

Saunders’ blue-collar roots and technical background deeply influence his fiction. He often writes about ordinary people, particularly those struggling with work, family, and the pressures of consumer culture. His influences range from Chekhov and Hemingway to Monty Python and “The Simpsons.”

Other notable works by Saunders include the story collections “CivilWarLand in Bad Decline” and “Pastoralia,” as well as the Booker Prize-winning novel “Lincoln in the Bardo.” Saunders is celebrated for his generosity as a teacher and mentor, as well as for his groundbreaking contributions to the short story form.

Key Takeaways

• Compassion matters: Small acts of kindness can have life-saving consequences.
• Moral choices are rarely simple: Saunders’ characters face dilemmas with no easy answers.
• Satire can reveal deep truths: Humor and irony are powerful tools for social critique.
• Empathy bridges divides: Even the most flawed characters are capable of redemption.
• Modern life is both absurd and profound: Saunders captures the strangeness and beauty of everyday existence.

Reader's Takeaway

Reading “Tenth of December” feels a bit like looking in a warped mirror—one that reflects both your best hopes and your worst fears. Saunders’ stories remind us that life is messy, complicated, and often hilarious, even in our darkest moments. For students, this collection offers a masterclass in contemporary storytelling and an invitation to wrestle with the big questions: What kind of person do I want to be? How can I make a difference, even in small ways?

For lecturers, Saunders provides rich material for discussion—about style, ethics, social critique, and the evolution of the short story. And for everyone, his work is a testament to the redemptive power of empathy.

Conclusion

“Tenth of December” is more than a collection of stories—it’s a vibrant, compassionate exploration of what it means to be human in the 21st century. Saunders’ humor, heart, and razor-sharp wit make this book both entertaining and deeply moving. Whether you’re a college student looking for literary inspiration or a lecturer seeking fresh material for classroom discussion, this book delivers on every level.

Don’t just take our word for it—dive in and discover the wild, wonderful world of George Saunders for yourself. You might just come away seeing your own life, and the lives of those around you, in a whole new light.