Stephen Hunter’s “Bullet Garden” Goes Back to the Future

Stephen Hunter’s last novel, “Targeted,” Bob Lee Swagger, a Marine sniper, was thrust into satire.

Inspired by Hunter’s frustration at Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s fiery confirmation hearing, included caricatures of political figures like Rep. Nancy Pelosi as they tried taking down a dinosaur who didn’t fit in their bubble-wrapped, Twitter-worshiping culture.

In Hunter’s latest, “The Bullet Garden,” modern-day convenient inconveniences haven’t even been conceived yet. While Bob Lee is Hunter’s go-to protagonist, the author jumped back to the sniper’s father, Earl Swagger, for this latest adventure.

Stephen Hunter, the legend, wishes everyone a Happy Publication Day! His latest novel, THE BULLET GARDEN, in the Swagger clan series is now available! pic.twitter.com/pjpBcg3oFU

— Jack Carr (@JackCarrUSA) January 24, 2023

There’s still a fish out of water story, but instead of Bob Lee in Washington D.C. we get Earl commissioned from the Marines to the Army in World War II. What is the mission? The mission?

“Earl transfers me to a world without the Internet, and that’s so much easier,” Hunter spoke about his decision not to return to the past. “Targeted.” There’s been plenty of history put to paper about Earl through Hunter’s career. He’s popped up in various Bob Lee books led his own trilogy of books, with “Hot Springs,” “Pale Horse Coming” and “Havana.”

Like Hunter’s Bob Lee books, “The Bullet Garden” This is a visual, kinetic ride by a storyteller who has mastered an artistry that many writers have yet to master: how not to waste time. It never stops, and like “Targeted,” it’s overflowing with flourishes that make Hunter stand apart from his fellow thriller writers.

From the romantic, yet precise description of firearms to poetic flares peppered in that feel more influenced by a Hemingway than a Clancy, there’s plenty here for Hunter fans. You’ll also find fun references to his earlier work, such as his first novel. “The Master Sniper.”

The Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and Pulitzer Prize-winner has interwoven his book stories since before Marvel became a mainstream world-building force.

“Most of the books are connected and if you care to — and one person did care to — you could put together a very complicated timeline and relationships line and it would look like a diagram of an extremely complex chemical equation,” Hunter stated.

One example was the connection between “Dirty White Boys” His Bob Lee saga. For those who haven’t read it, “Dirty White Boys” A novel that is punchy and emotional from a writer who has lost all sense of convention.

The novel follows a ruthless crew of prison escapees being hunted by a cop who doesn’t quite fit the traditional hero mold.

Hunter is not done. As providing red meat to loyal readers seems to have become his calling, Hunter is next working on a book that will combine adventures from three generations of Swaggers: Bob Lee, Earl, Earl’s father, Charles Swagger.

What Hunter doesn’t have to keep him busy today is his gig reviewing movies for The Washington Post, a position he left in 2008 to write full time. The former critic isn’t too enthused with today’s cinema output, but there is still clearly a movie lover there.

For those wondering what Hunter’s been watching, he gives a modest thumbs up to “Babylon,” “The Menu,” and “Bones and All,” and it’s the sort of praise that made his reviews so fun to read.

“Each one of those I found provocative and interesting and somewhere between pretty good and really good, but nowhere near great,” He said.

Hunter is a fan of the horror breakout hit “Barbarian” from last year and says he’s been on an Italian Giallo kick, a genre made famous by legendary filmmakers like Dario Argento.

Hunter’s own books seem prime for film adaptations, but they’ve struggled to find their way to the screen.

“Point of Impact,” however, became Mark Wahlberg’s 2007 film “Shooter” Multiple Hunter books were purchased for a series of three-season TV shows with Ryan Phillippe.

The novelist doesn’t worry about his movie prospects these days.

“Getting the book published was the point and the reward, and what happened after that always sort of bedazzled me. Some books lived on and some disappeared like a Chinese balloon over Montana,” Hunter joked.

Movie, no movie, doesn’t matter. Hunter has created a rich, visceral world that is both more compelling and more complex as the author grows and the world around them changes so dramatically.

Hunter views all of this with humor and wonder.

“It never occurred to me that I’d end up writing the alpha male saga of west Arkansas. How would I have ever conceived that idea at 25 years old?” He said.

“The Bullet Garden” Is Available now.

The novel was written by Zachary Leeman “Nigh” Gilded Masque, publisher, has been covering politics and culture for LifeZette. MediaiteAnd others.

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