Brendan Mathews Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Brendan Mathews

For readers diving into the work of Brendan Mathews, the path is straightforward but offers two distinct entry points depending on your preference for literary scale. Because his bibliography currently consists of one massive, panoramic historical novel and one highly acclaimed short story collection, you can choose based on your favorite format. However, the recommended starting point is his debut novel, The World of Tomorrow (2017).

Starting with The World of Tomorrow allows you to fully experience Mathews’ talent for immersive, large-scale world-building and complex character webs. It showcases his ability to blend historical accuracy with the pacing of a literary thriller. On the other hand, if you prefer bite-sized, diverse, and contemporary narratives that highlight his versatility as a stylist, starting with his collection This Is Not a Love Song (2019) is a fantastic alternative. Both works stand completely independent of each other, meaning there are no continuity issues or spoilers to worry about regardless of which book you pick up first.

Brendan Mathews Books in Order of Publication

Mathews’ literary output is marked by meticulous craftsmanship rather than rapid, high-volume publishing. To date, his books have been published in the following chronological order:

1. The World of Tomorrow (Novel) — Published in September 2017
2. This Is Not a Love Song (Short Story Collection) — Published in February 2019

Reading his works in publication order provides a fascinating look at Mathews' range. You move from the late-1930s historical backdrop of jazz-age New York City in his novel directly into the eclectic, modern, and sometimes surreal landscapes of his short stories.

Deep Dive: The World of Tomorrow (2017)

Set over the course of a single, fateful week in June 1939, The World of Tomorrow is a sprawling, 550-page historical novel that captures a world on the brink of World War II. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the optimistic 1939 New York World's Fair, contrasting the fair's utopian promise with the grittier realities of jazz clubs, mob warehouses, and political conspiracies.

The heart of the novel lies in the lives of three Irish brothers who find themselves reunited in New York under dangerous circumstances:

• Francis Dempsey: A charming, fast-talking schemer who leads the escape from Ireland after a heist at an IRA safe house goes disastrously wrong.
• Michael Dempsey: Francis's younger brother, a former seminary student left deaf and traumatized by an explosion during the heist. He is guided through the city's chaotic streets by visions of the ghost of William Butler Yeats.
• Martin Dempsey: The eldest brother, who immigrated to America years prior and has built a quiet life as a jazz musician, trying to support his wife, Rosemary, while staying out of trouble.

The brothers' plans to build a new life are threatened when Tom Cronin, a weary IRA hitman looking for redemption, is blackmailed into tracking them down to retrieve the stolen money. As the plot moves toward a dramatic confrontation at the World's Fair, the brothers intersect with Lilly Bloch, a Jewish photographer who has fled Nazi-occupied Prague. The novel was widely praised by critics, including John Irving, who described it as "comic, violent, and moving." It earned an Editors' Choice nod from the New York Times Book Review and was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

Deep Dive: This Is Not a Love Song (2019)

Following his epic debut, Mathews shifted focus to short fiction with This Is Not a Love Song. This collection contains ten distinct, emotionally resonant stories exploring relationships, family dynamics, and the oddities of modern life. The stories showcase Mathews’ trademark dark humor and deep empathy for flawed characters.

The collection includes the following stories:

1. Heroes of the Revolution
2. This Is Not a Love Song
3. Airborne: A tense, darkly comedic story about a couple whose search for toxic mold in their home spirals into a obsessive domestic nightmare.
4. How Long Does the First Part Last?
5. Dunn & Sons
6. Look at Everything
7. The Drive
8. Henry and His Brother
9. Salvage
10. My Last Attempt to Explain to You What Happened with the Lion Tamer: A standout story told from the perspective of a lovesick circus clown caught in a tragic love triangle with a trapeze artist and a lion tamer. This story was originally published in the Cincinnati Review and selected for the anthology The Best American Short Stories 2010.

The collection was shortlisted for the prestigious William Saroyan International Prize for Writing and recognized as a "Must Read" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, cementing Mathews' status as a master of short-form fiction.

What to Know Before You Start

To get the most out of Brendan Mathews' books, here are a few helpful details regarding his background and creative influences:

• Family Connections: Mathews' family history heavily influenced his writing. His Irish immigrant grandfather, who worked as a big-band arranger in the 1920s Bronx, served as the direct inspiration for the jazz musician character, Martin Dempsey, in The World of Tomorrow.
• Academic Research: Mathews is a Fulbright Scholar who spent time teaching at University College Cork in Ireland. This academic background, along with deep research into 1930s fashion, music, and oral histories, helped him craft the authentic Irish and immigrant voices in his historical fiction.
• Standalone Nature: There are no co-authored books, spin-offs, or complex timelines in Mathews' current catalog. Every book can be enjoyed as a standalone experience.
• Uncollected Works: Beyond his books, Mathews continues to publish acclaimed individual stories. For instance, his short story "Maniacs" was honored in The Best American Short Stories 2023.