Ron Rash
Ron Rash
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Ron Rash is an American novelist, poet, and short story writer.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 4, 1953, in Chester, South Carolina. No death date listed.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Novelist, Poet, Short Story Writer
#### Early Life and Background
Ron Rash was born in Chester, South Carolina, and grew up in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, which would later influence his writing about the natural world. After high school, Rash attended Western Carolina University before transferring to Bowling Green State University in Ohio for his MFA.
#### Major Accomplishments
Ron Rash is the author of several novels and collections of poetry, including Serena, a historical epic set during World War II, which was adapted into a film starring Jennifer Lawrence. His novel The Risen received critical acclaim for its portrayal of an Appalachian community dealing with coal mining's impact on their lives.
#### Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his novels and poetry collections, Rash has also written short stories that have been widely anthologized. His work often explores themes of identity, place, and the human condition in the context of Appalachia. He teaches writing at Western Carolina University and lives in Marshall, North Carolina.
#### Impact and Legacy
Ron Rash's writing reflects his deep connection to the natural world and its impact on people's lives. His stories often touch on issues like coal mining, logging, and environmental degradation, shedding light on the complexities of Appalachian life. Critics praise Rash for his vivid descriptions and nuanced portrayals of characters struggling with their circumstances.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Rash is widely quoted for offering insight into the interconnectedness of humans and nature through his writing. His work humanizes the experiences of those living in rural areas, often overlooked by mainstream media. The way he captures the beauty and fragility of Appalachian landscapes has garnered attention from readers worldwide.
Quotes by Ron Rash
Ron Rash's insights on:
My mother had brought me here when I was fifteen, on a Sunday after I’d read Look Homeward, Angel for the first time. She’d loved the novel, memorizing whole paragraphs, and, of course, naming me after the book’s main character. It is a novel you have to read as a young person or you don’t get it.
It struck her how eating was a comfort during a hard time because it reminded you that there had been other days, good days, when you’d eaten the same thing.
He couldn’t imagine such a moment, believed instead that Serena’s beauty was like certain laws of math and physics, fixed and immutable.
Furthermore, even if ideas were gettable – say, stacked in a secluded cave like the Dead Sea scrolls – I wouldn’t go there. An ‘idea,’ especially one adhered to from start to finish, can be disastrous for a compelling piece of fiction.
Spend a long time alone, especially if you’re someone who’s never been that social to begin with, and you find yourself craving solitude.
Then her mind had wandered into a place she could not follow, taking with it all the people she knew, their names and connections, whether they still lived or whether they’d died. But her body lingered, shed of an inner being, empty as a cicada husk.