Peck & Peck - a satirical look at the world of literary publishing.

Batter Gray, named after his mother's beloved dog, was raised by a historian father and a mother who designed typefaces. From a young age, Batter had a passion for poetry. After graduating from college in the 1980s, he moved to New York City and was hired by Peck & Peck, publishers of a high-brow poetry magazine, housed in a beautiful downtown building. Believing he'd have an editorial position, Batter is instead taken to the basement to work in a converted bomb shelter, which served as the copy machine room. Batter quickly learns of all the office dysfunction among the editorial staff and the abrasive editor-in-chief, Salton Peck. Batter's ambition soon lands him in hot water in this satirical look at the world of literary publishing. The corporate motto of Peck & Peck is: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. And that's precisely what they do, literally incinerating rejected poetry submissions. Ouch.

Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus is filled with many quirky characters, including Batter, who had a twin who didn't survive childbirth. For three generations, twin brothers had been running Peck & Peck until Salton's twin, Declonius, was forced to leave under circumstances pivotal to the plot. Batter's mother's tales about her heroic dog were standouts. Although the book moves at a slow pace, it will surely appeal to lovers of poetry as well as font enthusiasts.

Rated 3.75 out of 5 stars.

Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: October 13, 2026.

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