Tom Perrotta
Tom Perrotta: The Master of Suburban Satire
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Tom Perrotta is an American novelist, screenwriter, and journalist, best known for his satirical novels that explore the complexities of suburban life.
Birth and Death Dates
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Perrotta was born on August 2, 1961. As of this writing, he remains alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Perrotta is an American novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. His work spans multiple genres, including satire, literary fiction, and science fiction.
Early Life and Background
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Perrotta was born in Newark, New Jersey, to a working-class family. He grew up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, where he developed an interest in writing at a young age. Perrotta attended high school in West Orange, New Jersey, before moving on to college. He studied English literature at Columbia University and later earned his MFA from John Hopkins University.
Major Accomplishments
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Perrotta's writing career spans over two decades, with numerous novels that have received critical acclaim. Some of his notable works include:
The Wishbones (1993), a novel about the lives of three high school friends growing up in suburban New Jersey.
Joe College (2000), a satirical novel that explores the world of higher education.
* Little Children (2004), a darkly comedic novel about two troubled families living in a Boston suburb. This book was adapted into a successful film directed by Todd Field.
Notable Works or Actions
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Perrotta's novels are known for their sharp wit, nuanced characters, and thought-provoking themes. His work often explores the complexities of suburban life, revealing the darker aspects beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic communities.
Impact and Legacy
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Perrotta's writing has had a significant impact on contemporary literature. His satirical novels have influenced a new generation of writers, who are drawn to his unique blend of humor and social commentary.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Perrotta is widely quoted for his insightful observations about suburban life. His work offers a unique perspective on the human condition, revealing the complexities and contradictions that exist beneath the surface of everyday life. As a writer, Perrotta continues to be relevant today, offering commentary on the world around us through his thought-provoking novels and essays.
Perrotta's legacy extends beyond his writing. He has been recognized for his contributions to literature with numerous awards and nominations, including the PEN/Faulkner Award and the New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
In conclusion, Tom Perrotta is a masterful writer whose work continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of writers. Through his satirical novels and sharp wit, he offers us a glimpse into the complexities of suburban life, revealing the darker aspects that exist beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic communities.
Quotes by Tom Perrotta
Tom Perrotta's insights on:
I was also known as Frodo because I was an early adopter of 'The Lord of the Rings.'
Nothing beats novel writing because it’s complete expression of you. You just control everything. Not even a movie director has that level of control.
All she knew was that she’d inflicted pain on someone she cared about, and that always cost you something, even if you were just doing your job. It left you feeling dirty and mean, exposed to the laws of karma.
As for writing about temptation, there’s no drama without temptation, and no novel without drama.
We’re agnostics, she used to tell her kids, back when they were little and needed a way to define themselves to their Catholic and Jewish and Unitarian friends. We don’t know if there’s a God, and nobody else does, either. They might say they do, but they really don’t.
Doesn’t settle for less than she deserves, or apologize unless it’s absolutely necessary.
She knew exactly what was weighing him down: that helpless feeling that you were wasting your precious youth and it was your own damn fault.
I’m used to adapting my novels for feature film – it can be challenging to cut and compress three or four hundred pages into two hours of dramatic action.
Something had happened to him ove the past couple of years, something to do with being home with Aaron, sinking into the rhythm of a kid’s day. The little tasks, the small pleasures. The repetition that goes beyond boredom and becomes a kind of peace. You do it long enough, and the adult world starts to drift away. You can’t catch up with it, not even if you try.