By Jamie Kornegay
Entertainment Editor
The Oxford-Ole Miss literary scene has drawn attention once again with the announcement that Barry Hannah, the university's writer-in-residence, has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Hannah, who has often expressed his preference for writing short stories as opposed to novels, was nominated for his latest collection of short fiction, High Lonesome, by his publishing company, Atlantic Monthly Press. In this collection's 13 stories, Hannah once again explores tormented characters, using the wit and experimental eloquence that has earned him a wealth of accolades.
Publisher's Weekly called attention to the "astonishing depth and range of emotion" in High Lonesome, and the writing in the book earned comparisons to Southern greats like Flannery O'Connor and Carson McCullers as well as the virile voices of Raymond Carver and Charles Bukowski.
The prestigious nomination should come as no surprise to students and faculty who have followed Hannah's work and his 12-year career as writer-in-residence at Ole Miss. "Teaching inspires me," Hannah said. "The short fiction form that I teach is a great format for fine classroom conversation about the art. My writing has always been enhanced by my teaching."
"We have people literally coming from all parts of the United States and foreign countries to study under Barry Hannah," said Dan Williams, chair of English. "As a teacher, Barry is imaginative, nurturing and profound. In addition to his remarkable talents as a writer and as a teacher, Barry is a colleague in every sense of the word."
Prior to his recent nomination, Hannah was awarded the William Faulkner Prize for his first novel, Geronimo Rex, as well as a National Book Award nomination. In addition to another Book Award nomination for his novel Ray, he has been honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
The local reading for Barry Hannah's High Lonesome will be Nov. 15 at Off Square Books.