The Big Game is Every Night

The Big Game Is Every Night is a debut novel by Robert Maynor that explores masculinity, race, and family in contemporary blue-collar America. Grady Hayess life revolves around football, but when he breaks his leg, he becomes bored and angry and loses interest in catfishing and eating family suppers. He falls in with Hambone, a brooding older classmate, who takes him deep into the swamps to hunt raccoons and experiment with drugs. After an ugly confrontation with another player, Grady's relationship with Hambone turns dark and violent. His mom calls in his estranged father to set him straight, and Grady realizes that his dad isn't the man he remembers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Hub City Press

The Big Game Is Every Night is a novel that delves into the complexities of masculinity, race, and family in contemporary blue-collar America, told in the keen, honest voice of a young man growing up on the rural South Carolina coast. Grady Hayess entire life revolves around football, and when he suffers a devastating injury during a game against a rival high school, his world comes crashing down. As he recovers, Grady becomes bored and angry, losing interest in his hobbies and relationships with his family and friends. When he attempts to return to the team, he finds that his spot has been filled, and rumors circulate about why Coach made him a starting running-back in the first place. Feeling frustrated and alone, Grady befriends Hambone, an older classmate who introduces him to the world of hunting raccoons and experimenting with drugs. However, their relationship takes a dark and violent turn after an ugly confrontation in the locker room. With nowhere else to turn, Grady's mom calls in his estranged father, hoping that he can set his son straight. But Grady soon realizes that his father is not the man he remembers, and his quest to find his place in the world becomes even more complicated.

In his debut novel, Robert Maynor offers a literary portrayal of the American South that is both poignant and powerful. The Big Game Is Every Night shines a harsh light on the ways in which American men are steeped in violence, and how difficult it can be to break free from the toxic norms that perpetuate this violence. Through the character of Grady, Maynor explores the complexities of masculinity, race, and family, highlighting the struggles and challenges that young men face in a society that often values toughness and aggression over empathy and understanding. The novel also offers a glimpse into the social and economic dynamics of rural South Carolina, painting a vivid portrait of the lives of blue-collar workers and their families.

Overall, The Big Game Is Every Night is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers who are interested in exploring the complexities of contemporary American society. Maynor's keen writing and insightful portrayal of characters make this a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges and struggles faced by young men in today's world.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9798885740159