Jonathan safran foer works

Biography of Jonathan Safran Foer

Jonathan Safran Foer is an American novelist and writer, best known for his critically acclaimed novels "Everything Is Illuminated" (2002) and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" (2005). He was born in 1977 in Washington, D.C., to a Jewish family. His father, Albert Foer, is a lawyer, and his mother, Esther Safran Foer, is a public relations executive.

Foer grew up in a close-knit Jewish family, one of three sons. His older brother, Franklin, is the editor of "The New Republic," and his younger brother, Joshua, is a freelance journalist. From a young age, Foer was a highly sensitive and introspective child. At the age of eight, he had an accident in the chemistry lab, which led to a three-year period of intense anxiety and self-reflection.

Despite his struggles, Foer graduated from Georgetown Day School and went on to attend Princeton University. As a freshman, he enrolled in a writing course taught by author Joyce Carol Oates, who recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue writing seriously. Foer later credited Oates with changing the course of his life and inspiring him to become a writer.

In 1995, Foer graduated from Princeton with a degree in philosophy. He then traveled to Ukraine to further research and expand on a story he had written about his maternal grandfather, Louis Safran, who had survived the Holocaust. Foer's work on this project earned him the University Prize.

In 2001, Foer published an anthology titled "A Convergence of Birds: Original Fiction and Poetry Inspired by the Work of Joseph Cornell," which featured the works of Joseph Cornell. This collection was influenced by Foer's travels in Ukraine and his fascination with Cornell's art.

Foer's first novel, "Everything Is Illuminated," was published in 2002. The book received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the National Jewish Book Award and the Guardian First Book Award. In 2005, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name, with actor Elijah Wood playing the protagonist based on Foer.

His second novel, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," was published in 2005. The novel explores the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks through the perspective of a nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell, who is trying to cope with the death of his father. Foer employed innovative writing techniques in this novel, including a variety of narrative styles and the inclusion of photographs and illustrations.

Despite receiving mixed reviews, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" became a bestseller and was translated into multiple languages. The film rights were acquired by Warner Bros. and Paramount, with producer Scott Rudin attached to the project.

Foer has also been known for his intermittent commitment to vegetarianism. He has taught writing courses at Yale University and currently teaches in the Graduate Creative Writing Program at the State University of New York.

Jonathan Safran Foer continues to be a highly-discussed and influential novelist. His unique writing style and engagement with readers have captivated audiences worldwide. He currently resides in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with his wife, writer Nicole Krauss, and their two children. Foer is currently working on his third novel, which explores the lives of mortuary workers.