Where to Start with Emily Fridlund
For readers new to Emily Fridlund's work, the recommended starting point is her debut novel, History of Wolves (2017). As her most celebrated and defining work, it provides the perfect introduction to her signature style: precise, poetic sentences, slow-burning psychological tension, and a vivid sense of place. After experiencing the novel, readers should transition to her short story collection, Catapult (2017), which showcases her versatility across shorter, darker, and sometimes more surreal narratives.
Emily Fridlund Books in Publication Order
Emily Fridlund’s publications both debuted in 2017. Because they are standalone works, publication order is the most straightforward way to read them:
- History of Wolves (January 2017) – Standalone Novel
- Catapult: Stories (October 2017) – Short Story Collection
A Closer Look at the Books
History of Wolves (2017)
Set in the austere, isolated woods of northern Minnesota, History of Wolves follows Madeline "Linda" Furston, a teenage girl living in a decaying commune who struggles with deep alienation. Her quiet life shifts when a new family moves in across the lake, and Linda is hired to babysit their young son, Paul. As she becomes increasingly integrated into their lives, Linda is drawn into a web of extreme beliefs and moral ambiguity that eventually leads to a devastating tragedy. The novel originated as a standalone short story that won the McGinnis-Ritchie Award in 2013 before Fridlund expanded it into a full-length book. The novel went on to become a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction.
Catapult: Stories (2017)
Winner of the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, Catapult is a collection of eleven stories that explore the delicate, often uncomfortable dynamics of human relationships. Ranging from realistic to slightly absurd, the stories dwell on themes of longing, miscommunication, and vulnerability. Key stories include the opening marriage portrait "Expecting," the lodge-setting conflict of "Lake Arcturus Lodge," the dreamlike graduation journey of "One You Run From, The Other You Fight," and the title story "Catapult," which captures the intense, awkward power dynamics of youth.
What to Know Before You Start
- Atmospheric Setting: Fridlund’s stories are deeply rooted in the Midwestern landscape. The freezing winters, lakes, and dense forests of Minnesota serve as a backdrop that mirrors the internal isolation of her characters.
- Moral Ambiguity: Readers should expect stories that avoid simple resolutions. Fridlund is interested in the passive choices, moral compromises, and quiet complicity of ordinary people.
- Lyrical Writing Style: Her prose is deliberate and highly focused on sensory details, demanding close attention from the reader.
- Standalone Nature: None of her works contain direct sequels, shared universes, or spin-offs, meaning each book offers a self-contained reading experience.