LN
Lewis Nordan
14quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Lewis Nordan was a renowned American novelist, short story writer, and playwright.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on November 21, 1939, Lewis Nordan passed away on September 19, 2002.
Nationality and Profession(s)
He held dual citizenship of the United States and England. As a multifaceted artist, he was a novelist, short story writer, playwright, poet, and educator.
Early Life and Background
Lewis Nordan grew up in Columbus, Mississippi, where his childhood experiences profoundly influenced his writing. He developed an interest in storytelling from an early age, often drawing upon the rich cultural heritage of the Deep South for inspiration. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in English literature.
Major Accomplishments
Nordan earned an MFA from Columbia University and later taught creative writing at various institutions, including Ole Miss, where he became known for his innovative teaching methods and mentorship. He is particularly celebrated for his novels, which often focus on the lives of marginalized communities and explore themes of social justice.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Nordan's notable works include:
The All-Girl File (1982)
Dog Without a Bone (1986)
Whiskey River (1992)
Wolfpen Notes: Poems (1998)
His writing style, which blended elements of Southern Gothic and magical realism, captured the imagination of readers. Through his work, he sought to give voice to those who often went unheard.
Impact and Legacy
Lewis Nordan's impact on American literature is significant. His commitment to exploring themes of social justice and his dedication to mentoring emerging writers have left a lasting legacy in the literary world. He was also known for his innovative approach to teaching creative writing, which emphasized the importance of community engagement.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Nordan's work continues to be widely read and studied today due to its unique blend of magical realism and Southern Gothic elements. His commitment to social justice and his dedication to mentoring emerging writers have made him a beloved figure in the literary world.
Quotes by Lewis Nordan
Lewis Nordan's insights on:
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Roy Dale suspected that Mississippi was beautiful. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t have anything to compare it to. He hadn’t even ever been out of the Delta.
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The day Glenn Gregg's daddy got back from New Orleans was the same day Lady Sally Anne Montberclair decided to park her big white Cadillac out in front of Red's Goodlookin Bar and Gro. and leave the motor running and scoot inside, out of the first drops of rain, on an errand. Glenn's daddy was named Solon.
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Harris loved to read and he shared everything he read. He read to whoever happened to be in the room from whatever paper he happened to be making his way through. Ann Landers and the horoscope, of course, headlines, cartoons, Miss Manners, Heloise, the lives of others, in many forms, long articles on astronomy or anthropology, political pieces, op-ed pieces, book reviews, church bazaars, executions, plane crashes, disco artists, whatever caught his interest.
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Mr. Raney named the porpoises - Sister Woman, and Renford, and Lamar, and St. Elmo - and could recognize them, and call each by its name, even at night, six feet long, some of them, with a million sharp teeth and a naughty grin. Often when he floated past in the boat and watched their playful wheeling, in and out among the cypress knees, he called out to them, "Lamar, we are all alone in the world!" or "Renford, cork is an export product of India!
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Even Solon Gregg was finding it hard to speak to a woman who had just paid hard cash for tampons and on her face wore the look of a woman who meant to use them, as advertised.
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A thousand times, when the train slowed or stopped, I thought of jumping off. I wanted to die in a ditch. I wanted to disappear. I wanted a different history and geography. In rhythm with the wheels I said I want I want I want I want I stayed on the train.
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The Mississippi Delta is not always dark with rain. Some autumn mornings, the sun rises over Moon Lake, or Eagle, or Choctaw, or Blue, or Roebuck, all the wide, deep waters of the state, and when it does, its dawn is as rosy with promise and hope as any other.
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In my mind, I gave the woman gifts. I gave her a candle stub. I gave her a box of wooden kitchen matches. I gave her a cake of Lifebuoy soap. I gave her a ceilingful of glow-in-the-dark planets. I gave her a bald baby doll. I gave her a ripe fig, sweet as new wood, and a milkdrop from its stem. I gave her a peppermint puff. I gave her a bouquet of four roses. I gave her fat earthworms for her grave. I gave her a fish from Roebuck Lake, a vial of my sweat for it to swim in.
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Roy Dale suspected that Mississippi was beautiful. He wasn't sure. He didn't have anything to compare it to. He hadn't even ever been out of the Delta.
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