Matthew Neill Null: A Voice of West Virginia Literature
Matthew Neill Null is a distinguished author and academic who serves as an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Susquehanna University. Known for his profound ability to capture the intersection of geography and identity, Null explores how the environments people inhabit shape their voices, relationships, and worldviews.
His literary contributions span short fiction and novels, earning him critical acclaim for his honest and often severe depictions of the American experience, particularly within the rugged landscapes of West Virginia.
Key Facts
- Academic Role: Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Susquehanna University.
- Major Awards: Winner of the O. Henry Prize (2011) and the Pushcart Prize (2023).
- Debut Novel: Honey from the Lion (2015).
- Notable Collection: Allegheny Front (2016).
- Thematic Focus: The history, nature, and working-class struggles of West Virginia.
Literary Career and Short Fiction
Null has established himself as a master of the short story, with his work appearing in prestigious publications such as Ploughshares, American Short Fiction, Ecotone, Oxford American, and Electric Literature. His stories have also been featured in renowned anthologies, including The Best American Mystery Stories, The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses, and PEN /O. Henry Prize Stories.
His commitment to craft has been recognized with several high-profile awards. In 2011, his story "Something You Can't Live Without" won the O. Henry Prize. More recently, in 2023, his story "The Dropper," published in The Kenyon Review, was awarded a Pushcart Prize.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Honey from the Lion (2015)
Published by Lookout in 2015, Honey from the Lion is Null's debut novel. The narrative is set between the American Civil War and the turn of the 20th century, focusing on a community in the West Virginia Alleghenies. The plot centers on the fallout from a logging company's destruction of 10,000 acres of virgin forest, which sparks calls for a union strike among timber workers.
Critics have praised the novel for its rich prose and detailed world-building. Foreword Reviews highlighted the strength of the supporting cast and their complex backstories, noting themes of shifting loyalties and a loss of faith in institutions. The novel was also shortlisted for the L. D. and LaVerne Harrell Clark Fiction Prize.
Allegheny Front (2016)
In 2016, Sarabande Books published Allegheny Front, a collection of nine stories. Null drew influence from a diverse range of literary figures, including Isaac Babel, Primo Levi, Eudora Welty, and Henry Green. Stories such as "Natural Resources," "In the Second District," and "The Slow Lean of Time" showcase this eclectic influence.
The collection has been described as a virtuosic exploration of West Virginia's history, spanning two centuries of diverse figures—from poachers and criminals to scientists and preachers. The Rumpus specifically linked the opening story, "Something You Can't Live Without," to the "drummer tales" tradition associated with William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor.
Other critics have noted the raw, near-journalistic nature of the work. The Millions described it as a "severe book" that depicts the violence inflicted upon both nature and humanity. Furthermore, Hobart Pulp praised Null for his unflinching honesty in presenting the depths of West Virginia and its connection to the white working-class anger of the modern political era. The collection was a finalist for Foreword's INDIE collection of the year.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
| Work | Year | Format | Key Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey from the Lion | 2015 | Novel | Shortlisted for L. D. and LaVerne Harrell Clark Fiction Prize |
| Allegheny Front | 2016 | Story Collection | Finalist for Foreword's INDIE collection of the year |
| "Something You Can't Live Without" | 2011 | Short Story | O. Henry Prize Winner |
| "The Dropper" | 2023 | Short Story | Pushcart Prize Winner |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Matthew Neill Null teach?
Matthew Neill Null is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Susquehanna University.
What is the primary setting for much of Null's work?
Much of his work is set in West Virginia, specifically focusing on the Alleghenies and the historical and social dynamics of the region.
What are the main themes in Honey from the Lion?
The novel explores the environmental destruction of virgin forests, the resulting social unrest, and the rise of union strikes among timber workers in the post-Civil War era.
Which authors influenced the stories in Allegheny Front?
Null was influenced by a variety of writers, including Isaac Babel, Primo Levi, Eudora Welty, and Henry Green.
What awards has Matthew Neill Null won for his short stories?
He won the O. Henry Prize in 2011 for "Something You Can't Live Without" and a Pushcart Prize in 2023 for "The Dropper."