Jul 13 2023
Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright, novelist, and poet, is a distinguished literary figure recognized globally for his profound contributions to the world of literature. Born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Soyinka has been an indomitable force in the literary landscape, transcending boundaries and redefining literature through his unique narrative style and potent themes. …
Jul 10 2023
Alice Munro, the Nobel Prize-winning writer, is a celebrated figure in the world of literature. Born on this day July 10, 1931 in Wingham, Ontario, her literary journey began at a young age and eventually led her to be one of the most revered short story writers of the 20th century. Munro’s profound understanding of …
Jul 09 2023
Born on this day July 9, 1834, Jan Neruda, a Czech writer and poet, emerged from the picturesque streets of Prague to find a place in the hearts of literature lovers worldwide. An essential figure in Czech literature, he was a part of the May school, a cultural and political movement that sought to express …
Jul 07 2023
I fell in love with Cuba, or at least the idea of Hemingway’s Cuba, in my mid teens. I read an article about the writer and delighted in the romance of a bygone age, salsa and adventure preserved in time. Maybe the idea of vintage cars made the historic more tangible. I determined that one …
Jul 07 2023
Margaret Walker, a remarkable poet and novelist, used the power of words to profoundly influence a generation. Born on this day July 7, 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama, Walker was a literary pioneer whose works became an instrumental force in shaping the thoughts and perceptions of African American life during the mid-20th century. Her poetry and …
Jul 06 2023
Harold Norse, a prominent figure in the Beat Generation, was a poet whose works were a testament to resilience and rebellion. Born on this day July 6, 1916 in Brooklyn, Norse’s poetry was deeply influenced by his experiences of being a gay, Jewish, working-class individual. His words resonated with the feelings of ostracization and struggle, …
Jul 03 2023
Franz Kafka, an influential writer of the 20th century, was born on July 3, 1883, in Prague, Czech Republic. Though he was largely unrecognized during his lifetime, his profound literary contributions surfaced after his death, making him a significant figure in modernist literature. Kafka’s unique narrative style and thematic explorations of alienation, guilt, and existential …
Jul 01 2023
The unconventional life of George Sand is a testament to her revolutionary spirit and relentless pursuit of social justice. Born Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin on July 1, 1804, she adopted the pseudonym George Sand as a means to infiltrate the male-dominated literary world of 19th-century France. Her bold decision to assume a male pen name …
Jun 30 2023
Born on this day June 30, 1939 in Mexico City, José Emilio Pacheco is a name that resonates profoundly in the realm of Latin American literature. Over the span of his illustrious career, Pacheco has eloquently transformed words into worlds, crafting narratives that have captivated readers and critics alike. His literary journey is synonymous with …
Jun 29 2023
Born on this day June 29, 1900 in Lyon, France, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a name synonymous with both aviation and literature, made a significant contribution to the world of literature with his unique style and profound themes. Not only did he have a successful career as an aviator, but he also used his experiences and …
