Sarah Moss
Sarah Moss
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sarah Moss is a British novelist, short story writer, and academic. She is also known by her married name, Sarah Hall.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 8, 1975, in England, UK.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Moss is a British citizen and has worked as a professor of creative writing at the University of Northumbria.
Early Life and Background
Sarah Moss grew up in a family of modest means. She developed an interest in writing early on and was encouraged by her parents to pursue it. Her early life experiences, particularly those related to family dynamics, have had a significant impact on her work.
Moss has spoken about the importance of her relationship with her mother, which has been both supportive and complicated. This complex dynamic is reflected in many of her works, where characters grapple with familial relationships that are often fraught with tension.
Major Accomplishments
Sarah Moss's literary career spans multiple genres and mediums. As a novelist, she has written several critically acclaimed books, including:
"Night Waking" (2012), which explores the complexities of motherhood
"Cold Earth" (2015), a historical novel set in 19th-century Greenland
* "Sign Painter" (2016), a collection of short stories that examine human relationships
Her work has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Desmond Elliott Prize for Fiction.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Moss's most notable works is her memoir, "Night Waking". This book offers an unflinching portrayal of motherhood, tackling themes such as anxiety, guilt, and the intricacies of family relationships. Through this work, Moss sheds light on the complexities of caregiving and the psychological toll it can take.
Moss has also been recognized for her contributions to academia. As a professor of creative writing, she has mentored numerous students and taught courses on various aspects of fiction writing.
Impact and Legacy
Sarah Moss's impact extends beyond her literary achievements. Her work has contributed significantly to ongoing conversations about motherhood, family dynamics, and mental health. By exploring these themes in a nuanced and compassionate manner, Moss has helped to normalize discussions that were once considered taboo.
Moss's influence can be seen in the work of other writers who explore similar themes. Her writing style, which blends elements of fiction, memoir, and literary nonfiction, has also been influential in shaping the contemporary literary landscape.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Sarah Moss is widely quoted and remembered for her thought-provoking explorations of human relationships, family dynamics, and mental health. Her work offers a unique perspective on these complex themes, shedding light on issues that are often misunderstood or stigmatized.
Moss's writing has been praised for its lyricism, emotional depth, and intellectual curiosity. Her ability to balance the personal with the universal has made her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature.
Quotes by Sarah Moss
I personally don’t like depressing subjects, people say, as if mortality is a lifestyle choice, disease and violence and sorrow a matter of taste.
I started to empty the dishwasher and then remembered that there was an alternative to my thoughts and turned on the radio. There had been more bombs in the places where there are bombs. Children had died. No one had started CPR and called an ambulance, no one had rushed to them with adrenaline and oxygen and a defibrillator, no one was piecing together what had happened. There had been bombs and children had died.
It is simply not possible to live in a state of acute fear and shock for more than a couple of weeks, and so the mind finds a path, a story, a way onwards. Shock is by definition transient, even when the shocking thing is here to stay.
Dad and the Prof were talking about fighting, the way men do when they’re really fighting about talking.
Stories have endings; that’s why we tell them, for reassurance that there is meaning in our lives. But like a diagnosis, a story can become a prison, a straight road mapped out by the people who went before. Stories are not the truth.
It’s only, he said, that one doesn’t like to think of one’s grandchildren facing greater disadvantages than one’s children. Well stop voting Tory, you prick, Emma did not say.
I’m still broken, aren’t I? I guess I’m beginning to realise that I won’t get over it. Death doesn’t get better. Maybe life does.
The stories told by numbers and research are quite different from the stories we tell ourselves and each other. This is not to say that either is wrong.