Picture a storyteller who spun a vibrant tale of prewar New York, blending jazz, gangsters, and dreams of a brighter future—meet Brendan Mathews! A Fulbright Scholar and rising star in historical fiction, Mathews crafts stories that pulse with life, exploring identity, family, and the American Dream. His debut novel, The World of Tomorrow, launched him into the literary spotlight, earning accolades and a devoted readership.
Born and raised in upstate New York, Mathews’s journey from small-town dreamer to acclaimed author is as compelling as his fiction. With a knack for vivid characters and immersive settings, he’s become a voice to watch in contemporary American literature.
The Making of Brendan Mathews
Brendan Mathews grew up in the rolling hills of upstate New York, where stories of his Irish immigrant grandfather—a big-band arranger in the 1920s Bronx—sparked his imagination. After earning a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he pursued an MFA at the University of Virginia, honing his craft under literary giants. Mathews didn’t start writing seriously until his 30s, when impending fatherhood pushed him to chase his dreams. Quitting his job and enrolling in an MFA program, he dove headfirst into fiction, a leap that paid off with his critically acclaimed works.
His time as a Fulbright Scholar in Ireland, teaching at University College Cork, deepened his connection to his Irish roots, influencing the immigrant narratives that thread through his stories. Mathews’s eclectic career—spanning marketing, journalism, and architectural salvage—gave him a rich well of experiences to draw from, shaping his distinctive voice.
Brendan Mathews’s Unforgettable Stories
Mathews’s debut novel, The World of Tomorrow (2017), is a sprawling, 550-page epic set in June 1939 New York. Following three Irish brothers entangled in love, blackmail, and an IRA heist, the novel pulses with the energy of jazz clubs, mob warehouses, and the World’s Fair. Critics, including John Irving, praised its “comic, violent, and moving” narrative, likening Mathews to Michael Chabon and E.L. Doctorow. The book earned an Editors’ Choice nod from the New York Times Book Review and was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
His short story collection, This Is Not a Love Song (2019), showcases Mathews’s versatility. From a lovesick circus clown in “My Last Attempt to Explain to You What Happened with the Lion Tamer” to a couple obsessed with toxic mold in “Airborne,” these darkly witty tales explore fractured relationships and resilience. Two stories appeared in The Best American Short Stories, and the collection was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing.
Mathews’s style blends historical accuracy with vibrant prose, weaving humor and heart into complex characters. His themes—identity, duty, and the pursuit of dreams—resonate across his works, grounded in meticulous research into 1930s fashion, music, and oral histories. Whether in novels or short stories, Mathews creates worlds that feel both timeless and immediate.
Why Brendan Mathews Matters
Brendan Mathews’s work captures the messy, hopeful spirit of America on the cusp of change, making history feel personal and alive. His immigrant tales, rooted in his own heritage, speak to universal struggles of belonging and ambition, earning him comparisons to literary heavyweights. As a professor at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Mathews inspires young writers, sharing his iterative process and passion for storytelling. His ability to balance teaching, fatherhood, and writing makes him a relatable figure for aspiring authors.
With grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and fellowships from the Sewanee Writers Conference, Mathews’s influence is growing. His stories, published in prestigious outlets like Virginia Quarterly Review and Glimmer Train, have cemented his reputation as a master of both long and short fiction. Mathews’s work invites readers to dream big, just as he did when he took a chance on his writing career.
- Born: Upstate New York
- Key Works: The World of Tomorrow (2017), This Is Not a Love Song (2019)
- Awards: Fulbright Scholar (2014), Massachusetts Book Awards Honor Book
- Fun Fact: Mathews’s grandfather inspired the jazz musician character in The World of Tomorrow.
Ready to dive into a world of jazz, dreams, and daring? Grab The World of Tomorrow or This Is Not a Love Song and let Brendan Mathews’s vibrant storytelling sweep you away!