Christopher Rice
Full Name and Common Aliases
Christopher Rice is a contemporary American author known by his full name, Christopher Cox Rice.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 11, 1972, in Jackson, Mississippi, Chris Rice passed away on March 6, 2021.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Rice's nationality is American, and he worked as a novelist, short story writer, essayist, and non-fiction author. He was also known for his work as an editor and educator.
Early Life and Background
Chris Rice grew up in the Southern United States with his family. His father, John Howard Rice, was a Baptist minister, and his mother, Sally Cox Rice, was a school teacher. The young Chris developed an interest in writing early on, influenced by his family's love of literature and storytelling.
Rice attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he studied English and creative writing. He later earned a Master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. After completing his education, Rice began to make a name for himself as a writer, publishing short stories and essays in various literary journals and magazines.
Major Accomplishments
Chris Rice achieved significant success throughout his career. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Novel Writing: Rice wrote several novels, including _The Snow Garden_ (2006) and _Light Before Day_ (2011). His works often explored themes of family, relationships, and social justice.
Short Story Collection: In 1999, he published his debut short story collection, _A Density of Souls_. This critically acclaimed work earned him the Lambda Literary Award for Best First Novel or Short Story Collection.
Non-Fiction Writing: Rice also ventured into non-fiction writing with works such as _The He-Man Woman Haters Club_ (2007). This book examined themes of masculinity and social hierarchy.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Chris Rice include:
A Density of Souls (1999): A collection of short stories exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the human condition.
The Snow Garden (2006): A novel examining the complexities of family dynamics, love, and redemption in a small Southern town.
Light Before Day (2011): A work that delves into issues of social justice, power structures, and personal growth.
Impact and Legacy
Chris Rice's contributions to literature have had a lasting impact on his readers. His writing often addressed complex themes, encouraging reflection and empathy in those who engage with his works. Through his writing, he provided a platform for marginalized voices and explored issues relevant to contemporary society.
Rice was also known for his dedication to social justice causes, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and promoting equality through his work as an editor and educator. His legacy extends beyond his written works, inspiring future generations of writers and advocates.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Chris Rice is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Thought-provoking writing: His novels and short stories offer nuanced explorations of human relationships, social issues, and personal growth.
Advocacy for marginalized voices: Through his work as an editor and educator, he helped amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.
* Personal story and legacy: Rice's life and career serve as a testament to the power of literature in shaping individual perspectives and fostering empathy.
Quotes by Christopher Rice

The bar looks like the dirt beside the irrigation canal burped up an old trailer it couldn’t swallow.

I think what has been the ultimate challenge for me is being willing to be honest with myself about what works for me in terms of relationships and sexual relations. In that sense, I was pretty traditional and pretty buttoned down.

It never occurred to me to write anything that didn’t include gay characters in it.

You can admit that what happened to you made you stronger without celebrating the people who did those things to you.

I wondered if I was more addicted to being sad than I was to bourbon or cocaine.

So far the process has unfolded without a hitch, in meetings much like this one, while Cole stares out the sea-facing glass wall, wondering what’s become of his ambitions and his father’s legacy, a legacy that includes inventing a drug that revolutionized the treatment of HIV throughout the world.

Know this. It is not the living who are haunted by the dead – it is the dead who are haunted by the living.

I think that I am profoundly influenced by writers who have explored loss, and longing, and fear. Those influences have turned me into a thriller writer, essentially.

She did not feel she could be a writer because she lacked the courage to let anyone read her words. When.

She doesn’t have to work to blend in because in the French Quarter, all you have to do to blend in is dance with the chaos.