Olivia Goldsmith


Full Name and Common Aliases


Olivia Goldsmith was a pen name of Mary Ellen Higgins, an American novelist.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on January 17, 1949, in New York City. Died on December 26, 2004.

Nationality and Profession(s)


American writer, best known for her bestselling novels that often explored the lives of wealthy women.

Early Life and Background


Mary Ellen Higgins was born to Irish-American parents. Her early life is not extensively documented; however, it's believed she developed an interest in writing at a young age. Higgins attended Manhattanville College but did not graduate. Instead, she began working as a magazine editor and writer, eventually adopting the pen name Olivia Goldsmith for her literary pursuits.

Major Accomplishments


Goldsmith wrote over 20 novels during her career, with some of her most notable works including "The First Wives Club" (1992), which was adapted into a successful film in 1996. Her writing often centered around the lives and struggles of wealthy women, offering insightful commentary on class, relationships, and social expectations.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to "The First Wives Club", Goldsmith's notable works include "Inside Out" (1987), a novel about the experiences of a young woman who becomes embroiled in a family drama. Her writing often pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms, contributing to her popularity among readers.

Impact and Legacy


Goldsmith's novels have been widely praised for their thought-provoking portrayals of women's lives. While some critics saw her work as sensational or voyeuristic, many readers appreciated the honest and insightful depictions of relationships, class struggles, and personal growth. Her writing continues to be remembered and quoted due to its ability to capture the complexities of human experience.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Goldsmith's enduring popularity stems from her unique voice and perspective as a writer who explored themes that were often overlooked in literature at the time. Her novels, while sometimes criticized for their sensationalism, offered readers a glimpse into worlds they may not have otherwise encountered. As a result, Olivia Goldsmith remains widely quoted or remembered for her thought-provoking and engaging portrayals of women's lives and experiences.

Quotes by Olivia Goldsmith

It was considered very bad form to wish authors on their birthdays ’many happy returns.
"
It was considered very bad form to wish authors on their birthdays ’many happy returns.
Just like a spider with a line of silk! Did you ever see them throw themselves out into space to weave? They’re taking a chance, every single time. They got to do it or else they’d never create anything. But I bet it don’t feel good, even to a spider.
"
Just like a spider with a line of silk! Did you ever see them throw themselves out into space to weave? They’re taking a chance, every single time. They got to do it or else they’d never create anything. But I bet it don’t feel good, even to a spider.
The secret to true happiness is low expectations and insensitivity.
"
The secret to true happiness is low expectations and insensitivity.
Publishing is no longer simply a matter of picking worthy manuscripts and putting them on offer. It is now as important to market books properly, to work with the bookstore chains to getterms, co-op advertising, and the like. The difficulty is that publishers who can market are most often not the publishers with worthy lists.
"
Publishing is no longer simply a matter of picking worthy manuscripts and putting them on offer. It is now as important to market books properly, to work with the bookstore chains to getterms, co-op advertising, and the like. The difficulty is that publishers who can market are most often not the publishers with worthy lists.
Everyone has different problems, but everyone has some kind of problem.
"
Everyone has different problems, but everyone has some kind of problem.
As difficult as it is for a writer to find a publisher-admittedly a daunting task-it is twice as difficult for a publisher to sort through the chaff, select the wheat, and profitably publish a worthy list.
"
As difficult as it is for a writer to find a publisher-admittedly a daunting task-it is twice as difficult for a publisher to sort through the chaff, select the wheat, and profitably publish a worthy list.
Just like a spider with a line of silk! Did you ever see them throw themselves out into space to weave? They're taking a chance, every single time. They got to do it or else they'd never create anything. But I bet it don't feel good, even to a spider.
"
Just like a spider with a line of silk! Did you ever see them throw themselves out into space to weave? They're taking a chance, every single time. They got to do it or else they'd never create anything. But I bet it don't feel good, even to a spider.
As long as you believe in yourself and your own vision, you have something. When you give up that, you are personally bankrupt.
"
As long as you believe in yourself and your own vision, you have something. When you give up that, you are personally bankrupt.
It was considered very bad form to wish authors on their birthdays 'many happy returns.
"
It was considered very bad form to wish authors on their birthdays 'many happy returns.
As difficult as it is for a writer to find a publisher -admittedly a daunting task - it is twice as difficult for a publisher to sort through the chaff, select the wheat, and profitably publish a worthy list.
"
As difficult as it is for a writer to find a publisher -admittedly a daunting task - it is twice as difficult for a publisher to sort through the chaff, select the wheat, and profitably publish a worthy list.
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