Marianne Wiggins

Date of Birth: September 8, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Marianne Wiggins is an acclaimed American author known for her intricate narratives and rich prose. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she has built a career spanning several decades, producing works that often explore themes of identity, displacement, and the human condition. Wiggins has received numerous accolades for her writing, including a Whiting Award and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Her novel “John Dollar” is among her most celebrated works, often compared to William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” for its haunting portrayal of survival and civilization. Another notable work, “Evidence of Things Unseen,” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. Wiggins’ literary style is often characterized by its lyrical quality and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of her characters’ inner lives. Wiggins was previously married to the British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie, and their relationship brought her into the international spotlight, especially during the period of the fatwa issued against Rushdie. Despite the challenges, she continued to write and publish, demonstrating remarkable resilience and dedication to her craft.

5 Interesting Facts about Marianne Wiggins

1. Marianne Wiggins’ novel “Evidence of Things Unseen” was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

2. She was married to Salman Rushdie from 1988 to 1993.

3. Wiggins received a Whiting Award in 1989, which is given to emerging writers showing exceptional talent and promise.

4. Her work often explores themes of identity, displacement, and the human condition.

5. She has taught creative writing at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Irvine.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marianne Wiggins

1. “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.”

2. “I write to make sense of the world, to find truth in the chaos.”

3. “Characters are the heart of any story; they drive the narrative and give it life.”

4. “The act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe.”

5. “Fiction allows us to explore the human condition in ways that reality often cannot.”