Muscle Cars [Paperback]

The stories inMuscle Carsexplore the unique and sometimes flawed relationships between men, their families, and their friends. Featuring a diverse cast of inarticulate misfits—including a compulsive body builder obsessed by the death of his brother, a former boxer forced to sell his prized 1946 New York Yankees–autographed baseball, and two boyhood friends who plan to steal Ted Williams’ scientifically frozen head—this stand-out debut from Pushcart-nominated Eoannou is a powerful journey through the humor, darkness, and neuroses of the modern American everyman.

“The stories in Stephen G. Eoannou’s collection are, as the title suggests, very much like muscle cars—lean, powerful, fast, and gorgeous. Eoannou evokes, in 17 richly textured and often hilarious visions of Buffalo life, what it means to be male—son, brother, father, spouse, lover, half-baked friend, sports fanatic, neighbor—in the 21st century. These stories will transport you. Enjoy the ride.”  —K. L. Cook, author,Love Songs for the QuarantinedandLast Call

"Part Richard Russo, part Bruce Springsteen, part OTB parlors and Cutlass Supremes, Steve Eoannou’s debut collection,Muscle Cars, is all—all—heart. These are tough, ruminative, cunning and tough—did I say tough?—stories of people trying to make it, one way and another, for better and worse. A fine first collection, and I look forward to the next." —Brett Lott, author, Jewel

"In his collection, Stephen G. Eoannou proves masterful at revealing that razor’s edge inside everyday American man, where the power of role and the power of raw emotion almost balance out. He throws light on the mysterious interiors of husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, soldiers, compatriots, these streets of Buffalo past and present–all the while keeping track of the darker curl£U