Mary Karr

Date of Birth: January 16, 1955

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Mary Karr is an American poet, essayist, and memoirist known for her deeply personal and reflective writing. Born on January 16, 1955, in Groves, Texas, Karr grew up in a turbulent household, which later became the backdrop for her acclaimed memoirs. Her most well-known works include “The Liars’ Club,” “Cherry,” and “Lit,” all of which explore her complex family relationships and personal struggles with addiction and faith. Karr’s raw and unflinching prose has earned her numerous awards and a place as one of the leading voices in contemporary American literature. In addition to her memoirs, she has published several collections of poetry, including “Abacus,” “The Devil’s Tour,” and “Viper Rum.” Karr has also contributed essays to various publications and taught literature at Syracuse University.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Karr

1. Mary Karr’s memoir “The Liars’ Club” spent more than a year on The New York Times bestseller list and won the PEN/Martha Albrand Award.

2. She is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship for her contributions to the literary world.

3. Karr’s poetry often explores themes of memory, family, and spirituality.

4. She has been open about her struggles with alcoholism and how she found solace in Catholicism, which she discusses in her memoir “Lit.”

5. Mary Karr has collaborated with musicians, including writing a song with singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Karr

1. “A dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person in it.”

2. “The Liars’ Club was the first time I realized that you could tell the truth and make it into a book that people would read.”

3. “Every memoir is a battle between memory and forgetting.”

4. “You don’t have to be a good person to be a good writer—history shows it’s better if you’re not—but you can’t be a liar and be a good writer.”

5. “Faith is not a moral virtue but an epistemological one.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mary Karr’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $3 million.

Children

Mary Karr has one son, Dev Milburn, who has been referenced in her memoirs, particularly in “Lit,” which discusses her journey through alcoholism and motherhood.