Atlanta Stories: Reconstruction features nine interconnected stories about a diverse group of people living in Atlanta, Georgia in the early part of the 21st century. These individuals are dealing with changes in their lives which cause them to come to terms with their past actions and confront the obstacles before them to rise from the ashes and move forward. The themes of family and reconciliation predominate. Reconstruction features many types of families, those to whom one is born and those one forges in life as circumstances dictate.
Reconstruction is for anyone who enjoys stories featuring strong characters making bold choices and learning to live with the consequences. The characters are drawn from several previous works by G. M. Lupo: a story collection, Fables of the New South; a novel, Rebecca, Too; and an award-winning full-length play, Another Mother. Fables of the New South and Reconstruction constitute two volumes in a planned three-volume set of Atlanta Stories. The third will be entitled Terminus. The genre is Southern Neorealism -- complex stories told in simple, straight-forward language, with well-defined characters undergoing personal transformation. Reconstruction will appeal to readers who love family narratives with a strong sense of community.
In Reconstruction, there are no "heroes" or "villains" just complex individuals with many motivations behind their actions. The reader may not always agree with the choices a character makes, but it is hoped that, at least, the circumstances that underlie a character's decisions will provide a better understanding of what led the character in the course followed.
G. M. Lupo is a native of Atlanta where he has always had a dysfunctional relationship with his hometown. He currently resides in Middle Georgia, near where his Lupo ancestors lived nearly two hundred years ago.
His most recent published work is the story collection Reconstruction (2020), part of his series of Atlanta Stories, which includes Fables of the New South (2017). Along with his novel, Rebecca, Too (2018), these constitute his Expanded Universe of Fictional Atlanta. He has also released a collection of essays, poetry, and stories entitled Words Words Words (2020).
Most recent performances of his scripted work include Opposites Detract, which premiered at Amplifest, Merely Players Presents (Doraville, GA), May 2019, and A Debt to Play, which had its premiere at Tapas III, Academy Theatre (Hapeville, GA), June 2018. Merely Players Presents also sponsored readings of his works in progress, Rebecca, Too (July 2020), and Phoenix Rising: Christine (January 2021) via Zoom.
He was the winner of the 2017 Essential Theatre Play Writing Award for his full-length play Another Mother, which had its world premiere in his home neighborhood of West End in August 2017, in the building that once housed the library where he learned to read as a child.
He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, Merely Writers, and the Independent Book Publishers Association.
