Harold Brodkey

Date of Birth: October 25, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: January 26, 1996

Biography

Harold Brodkey, born Aaron Roy Weintraub, was an American author known for his sophisticated prose and insightful explorations of human consciousness and relationships. He was born on October 25, 1930, in Staunton, Illinois. Brodkey’s early life was marked by tragedy; his mother died of tuberculosis when he was two years old, and his father passed away soon after, leading him to be adopted by relatives in St. Louis, Missouri. Brodkey attended Harvard University, where he began to craft his distinctive literary voice. He gained recognition in the literary world due to his contributions to The New Yorker. His first collection of stories, “First Love and Other Sorrows,” published in 1958, was highly acclaimed. However, he became infamous for his long-gestating novel, “The Runaway Soul,” which took over 30 years to complete and was finally published in 1991. His late-career memoir, “This Wild Darkness,” chronicles his battle with AIDS, revealing his strength and vulnerability. Brodkey passed away on January 26, 1996, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of introspective and richly detailed literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Harold Brodkey

1. Harold Brodkey was adopted by his aunt and uncle after both of his biological parents died when he was very young.

2. His work was frequently published in The New Yorker, contributing significantly to his reputation in the literary world.

3. “The Runaway Soul,” his much-anticipated novel, took over three decades to write and was considered both a masterpiece and a point of contention due to its length and complexity.

4. Brodkey was openly bisexual, and his work often included themes of sexuality and identity.

5. His memoir, “This Wild Darkness,” offers an unflinching look at his life and battle with AIDS, providing a poignant end to his literary career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harold Brodkey

1. “I am a secret. That is the essence of every soul.”

2. “Life is an unmanageable frenzy of complicated simplicity.”

3. “In the end, everything is a gag.”

4. “The past is a country that issues no visas.”

5. “In art, you eliminate everything that is not essential, and in life, you move toward the essential as best you can.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Harold Brodkey’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his literary works and contributions to esteemed publications.