Entomology of the Pin-Up Girl - by Lauren Osborn (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Winner of the 2024 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize, Entomology of the Pin-Up Girl delivers a terrific play on the "monstrous feminine"--captivating stories of women shedding their skins and exoskeletons and blurring the boundaries between predator and prey.

A dissatisfied wife wraps herself in a silk cocoon. Teenage girls declare decay as the newest fashion trend. A new religion emerges from blood-sucking moths. And Grete Samsa wakes to find herself transformed--not into a cockroach, but a monstrous camel spider, famished and salivating for the man at the door.

A surreal exploration of nature, sexuality, disaster and desire, Lauren Osborn's stunning debut isa must-read for fans of Lidia Yuknavitch, Aimee Bender, and K-Ming Chang. The final edition will include six full-page, black-and-white illustrations by brilliant artist Jenny Eickbush.

Review Quotes

"Disturbing, dangerous, and unexpectedly elegant. This debut collection grabs hard and doesn't let go as women become sublime and transcend the ordinary, and men more often than not try to thwart them. Osborn's writing is kaleidoscopic and precise, and Entomology of the Pin-Up Girl does a grand job showcasing her welcome and exciting new voice." --Rafe Posey, Third Place Books (Ravenna), Seattle, WA

"A grotesquely satisfying book that will stick with you. In Entomology of the Pin-Up Girl, Osborn has accomplished the perfect melding of 'Good for her' with an unflinching stare down the barrel of some of society's most pressing problems. This book doesn't shy away from the things that make us uncomfortable, whether that's emotion or bugs." --Cassie Goodwin, Loudmouth Books, Indianapolis, IN

"Reminiscent of Karen Russell's early short stories, this collection is simultaneously fun and deeply unsettling (in the best way)! Using both bugs and creepy body horror, Lauren Osborn explores humanity in ways that will both delight and turn your stomach. Fans of both horror and magical realism will enjoy this new talent!"--Emily Russo, PRINT: A Bookstore, Portland, ME