Too Glorious to Even Long for on Certain Days

Joseph Bathanti’ s novella, Too Glorious to Even Long for on Certain Days, follows Fritz Sweeney through a pivotal summer in 1973, set against the backdrop of working-class Pittsburgh. Fritz grapples with an existential crisis triggered by his job at Acme Toy Warehouse, which he finds absurd and meaningless. This sense of absurdity is deepened by his fascination with Albert Camus’ s philosophy, in “ The Myth of Sisyphus” and The Stranger, introduced to him during his first college literature class by an enigmatic Vietnam veteran professor. Further complicating Fritz’ s life is his relationship with Claire Raffo, his mysterious girlfriend with whom he is precariously and hopelessly entangled. Throughout Too Glorious to Even Long for on Certain Days, Fritz confronts numerous moral crossroads, challenging his beliefs, understanding of existence and his place in an ultimately unforgiving world.

Joseph Bathanti is the former North Carolina Poet Laureate (2012-14) and recipient of the North Carolina Award in Literature, the state’ s highest civilian honor. The author of over twenty books, Bathanti is McFarlane Family Distinguished Professor of Interdisciplinary Education at Appalachian State University and recipient of the Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. He was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in October of 2024.