Tinkers (novel)

Tinkers (Paul Harding novel - cover art)

Tinkers is a novel by American author Paul Harding. It was first published in 2009 by Bellevue Literary Press and won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Plot Summary

The novel tells the story of George Washington Crosby, a clock repairman, who lies on his deathbed at his home in Massachusetts. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, George reflects on his life and the lives of his father, Howard Crosby, and his grandfather. The narrative shifts between George's present and the past, exploring themes of time, memory, and family.

Characters

• George Washington Crosby: The protagonist, a clock repairman who is dying of cancer.
• Howard Crosby: George's father, a tinker who suffers from epilepsy.
• Kathleen Crosby: George's mother, who struggles with Howard's illness and eventual abandonment.
• Meghan Crosby: George's wife, who cares for him during his final days.

Themes

The novel explores several themes, including:

• Time: The passage of time and its impact on individuals and families.
• Memory: The ways in which memories shape identity and relationships.
• Family: The complex dynamics within families, particularly between fathers and sons.

Awards and Recognition

• Pulitzer Prize for Fiction: Tinkers won the prestigious award in 2010.
• PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize: The novel was a finalist for this award.

Publication History

Tinkers was published by Bellevue Literary Press in 2009. Despite being released by a small press, the novel received critical acclaim and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Author

Paul Harding is an American author and musician. He has taught writing at the Iowa Writers' Workshop and Harvard University. Tinkers is his debut novel.

See Also

• Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
• Bellevue Literary Press
• Paul Harding (writer)