Lauren Groff is ‘joyful.’ But she still wants ‘Brawler’ to break your heart

Lauren Groff’s novels, like “Fates and Furies” and “Matrix,” and short story collections, like “Florida,” not only tend to land on bestseller and best-of lists – but all three were nominated for the National Book Award. Her just-published eighth book, “Brawler,” which features nine devastating but resonant short stories, has received rapturous reviews, too.  

The stories explore the ties among kin as well as found family, either of which can disappoint and wound in equal measure. There’s alcoholism and violence ...