George Saunders
Full Name and Common Aliases
George Saunders, born George Saunders, is a celebrated American writer known for his unique voice and innovative storytelling. While he does not commonly use aliases, his name has become synonymous with contemporary short fiction and satirical commentary.
Birth and Death Dates
George Saunders was born on December 2, 1958. As of the latest information available, he is alive and continues to contribute to the literary world.
Nationality and Profession(s)
George Saunders is an American author, essayist, and professor. He is renowned for his work in short stories, essays, novellas, and children's books. Saunders is also a respected academic, teaching creative writing at Syracuse University.
Early Life and Background
George Saunders was born in Amarillo, Texas, and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a middle-class family, which instilled in him a strong work ethic and a keen sense of observation. Saunders attended the Colorado School of Mines, where he earned a degree in geophysical engineering in 1981. His early career was marked by a stint in the oil fields of Sumatra, Indonesia, which provided him with a wealth of experiences that would later inform his writing. Saunders eventually shifted his focus to literature, earning a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Syracuse University in 1988.
Major Accomplishments
George Saunders has received numerous accolades throughout his career, cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary literature. He was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship in 2006, often referred to as the "Genius Grant," which recognized his innovative contributions to the literary arts. In 2013, Saunders was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine, highlighting his impact beyond the literary community. His short story collection, "Tenth of December," was a finalist for the National Book Award and won the inaugural Folio Prize in 2014. Perhaps his most significant achievement came in 2017 when his novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" won the prestigious Man Booker Prize.
Notable Works or Actions
George Saunders is best known for his short story collections, which include "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline" (1996), "Pastoralia" (2000), and "In Persuasion Nation" (2006). These works are celebrated for their satirical edge and exploration of the human condition. His 2013 collection, "Tenth of December," was hailed as a masterpiece, with The New York Times Magazine declaring it "the best book you'll read this year." Saunders' first full-length novel, "Lincoln in the Bardo," is a groundbreaking work that blends historical fiction with supernatural elements, offering a profound meditation on grief and the afterlife.
Impact and Legacy
George Saunders has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with his distinctive style and profound insights into human nature. His work often blurs the lines between genres, combining elements of science fiction, satire, and realism to create narratives that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Saunders' ability to capture the complexities of modern life with humor and empathy has earned him a devoted readership and critical acclaim. As a teacher, he has influenced a new generation of writers, sharing his expertise and passion for storytelling.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
George Saunders is widely quoted and remembered for his ability to distill complex ideas into accessible and poignant prose. His writing often addresses themes of compassion, kindness, and the human capacity for change, resonating deeply with readers across the globe. Saunders' speeches and essays, such as his commencement address at Syracuse University, have gone viral for their wisdom and humanity, further cementing his reputation as a voice of moral clarity in a tumultuous world. His work continues to inspire and challenge readers, ensuring his place as a significant figure in contemporary literature.
Quotes by George Saunders
George Saunders's insights on:
There's a really nice moment in the life of a piece of writing where the writer starts to get a feeling of it outgrowing him - or he starts to see it having a life of its own that doesn't have anything to do with his ego or his desire to 'be a good writer.'
I love the feeling of being on the hunt – the feeling that the story is refusing to be solved in some lesser way and is insisting that you see it on its highest terms.
If you want to explore a political idea in the highest possible way, you embody it in the personal, because that’s something that no one can deny.
I’m not thinking much about overall themes or preoccupations or anything like that. Instead I’m just trusting that, if I’m working hard, various notions and riffs and motifs and so on are very naturally suffusing the stories and the resulting book.
When I’m explaining something to you, if I’m being long-winded, and twisty in a non-productive way, I could make you feel vaguely insulted. And you’d have a right to be.
I think that’s one of the maybe under-discussed aspects of process – the difference between a good writing day and a bad one is the quality of the split-second decisions you made.
Whatever your supposed politics are – left, right – if you put it in a human connection, most people will rise to the occasion and feel the human pain in a way that they might not if it was presented in a more conceptual way.
The most hopeful thing in the stories, I hope, is wit. I make it up. If I make up a world in which we’re ruled by big talking turds, it doesn’t mean that we are. So you shouldn’t feel depressed...
Every writer knows that when you’re imitating somebody – you know, you’re sounding like Faulkner – you’re doing pretty good, but your life in Hoboken isn’t Faulkneresque.