George Saunders + Amanda Shires: "Tenth of December" and the Song It Inspired

George Saunders reads his celebrated short story "Tenth of December" in its entirety, followed by Amanda Shires' original song "You Don't Get to Go," written in response. SongWriter documents the creative journey from story to song, and includes host Ben Arthur's own musical response, "If You Need Me."

Season 3, Episode 8
George Saunders + Ben Arthur (Part 1)

Season 3, Episode 9
George Saunders + Amanda Shires (Part 2)

George Saunders Reads "Tenth of December"

Bestselling author George Saunders has often described fiction as an exercise in empathy, a way of inhabiting another person's experience enough to understand them more fully. In this special two-part episode, he reads his story "Tenth of December" in its entirety. Widely regarded as one of the defining American short stories of the twenty-first century, it is a work that asks profound questions about loneliness, sacrifice, fear, and compassion.

The story is almost an hour long, which is why this episode is in two parts.

Audio is excerpted courtesy of The Penguin Random House Audio from Tenth of December by George Saunders, and narrated by the author.
© 2013 George Saunders (P) 2013 Random House Audio.

George Saunders author photo Credit-Zach Krahmer

Photo by Zach Krahmer

Amanda Shires' Song: "You Don't Get to Go"

Amanda Shires is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and fiddle player, and a member of the celebrated supergroup the Highwomen. She talks about the challenges of writing her song, "You Don't Get to Go," and grudgingly accepts George's admiration. (George, it should be mentioned, specifically requested that Amanda be invited to take part in this episode.)

Photo by Alysse Gafkjen

Another SongWriter Answer Song: "If You Need Me"

Although I ended up feeling like kicking myself for volunteering, I did want to write a song as well. This was not only because I am a giant fan of George's work - and this story in particular - but also because I felt like the podcast would be better split into two parts, since the story is so long. Also, also: I did want to continue my own creative practice as part of this project (and take part in the fun!)

Happily, George has continued to engage with SongWriter, later reflecting on an episode based on a story from Rwanda and the subject of forgiveness in an essay for his Story Club newsletter.