Paris Trout
306
Novel • Fiction
Georgia • 1940s
1991
Adult
18+ years
Paris Trout by Pete Dexter, set in post-World War II Georgia, tells the story of Paris Trout, a respected but racist and violent loan shark who kills a young Black girl and injures a Black woman while attempting to collect a debt, leading to a trial that further exposes the town's deep-seated racism and ultimately results in greater bloodshed and moral reckoning. The book contains themes of racial violence and domestic abuse.
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Mysterious
7,836 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Paris Trout by Pete Dexter is lauded for its gripping narrative and stark portrayal of racism and violence in a 1940s Southern town. Critics praise its complex characters and moral ambiguity, though some find its intense themes unsettling. Despite its bleakness, the novel's exploration of human flaws is compelling and thought-provoking.
Readers who relish intricate character studies and dark, Southern Gothic narratives will appreciate Pete Dexter's Paris Trout. Fans of William Faulkner's Light in August or Cormac McCarthy's Child of God will likely find the book compelling, as it delves into themes of racism, violence, and moral decay in a small Georgian town.
7,836 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Paris Trout by Pete Dexter won the 1988 National Book Award for Fiction, showcasing its critical acclaim and recognition in literary circles.
Pete Dexter, before becoming an acclaimed novelist, worked as a journalist, which deeply influenced his writing style and the detailed portrayal of character psychology in Paris Trout.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
The novel was adapted into a TV movie in 1991, starring Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey, bringing Dexter's intense characters to the screen.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
306
Novel • Fiction
Georgia • 1940s
1991
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!