Lydia Davis

Date of Birth: July 15, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: *Not applicable*

Biography

Lydia Davis is an acclaimed American writer, known primarily for her short stories and translations. Born on July 15, 1947, in Northampton, Massachusetts, Davis has carved a niche for herself in the literary world with her unique, concise, and often experimental style of writing. She attended Barnard College, where she graduated in 1970. Davis’ work has appeared in numerous prestigious literary journals and magazines, and she has published several collections of short stories that have garnered critical acclaim. In addition to her original works, Lydia Davis is also known for her translations of French literature, including the works of Marcel Proust and Gustave Flaubert. Her translation of “Swann’s Way” was particularly well-received, earning her significant recognition in the literary community. Throughout her career, Davis has received numerous awards and honors, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2013. She has also taught creative writing at various institutions, sharing her expertise and passion for literature with the next generation of writers. Davis was married to the artist Alan Cote and has a son, Theo Cote. She continues to write and contribute to the field of literature, solidifying her legacy as one of the most innovative and influential writers of her time.

5 Interesting Facts about Lydia Davis

1. Lydia Davis won the Man Booker International Prize in 2013 for her outstanding contribution to fiction.

2. She is known for her extremely short stories, some of which are only a few sentences long.

3. Davis has translated several major works of French literature, including Marcel Proust’s “Swann’s Way” and Gustave Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary.”

4. She has taught creative writing at institutions such as the University at Albany, SUNY, and New York University.

5. Lydia Davis has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “Genius Grant.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lydia Davis

1. “The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – that you’d thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met.”

2. “A story is an arrangement of words and sentences, and words and sentences are products of the imagination.”

3. “What I’m aiming for is not the ‘answer’ but the ‘question.’”

4. “Writing is a series of choices, and you have to be awake to the consequences of those choices.”

5. “I write to discover what I think, what I feel, and what I know.”