Harry Crews
Harry Crews
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Harry Eugene Crews was an American novelist, short story writer, journalist, and professor. He is often referred to by his pen name, Harry Crews.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 3, 1935, in Bacon County, Georgia, USA. Harry Crews passed away on March 28, 2012, at the age of 77.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American novelist, short story writer, journalist, and professor.
Early Life and Background
Harry Crews was born to a sharecropping family in rural Georgia. He grew up in a community where many were struggling to survive due to poverty and lack of opportunities. This environment would later influence his writing, as he often explored themes of hardship, resilience, and the human condition. Crews attended Bacon County High School before moving on to the University of Florida, where he studied journalism.
Major Accomplishments
Crews began his career in journalism, working for various newspapers, including the _Athens Banner-Herald_. However, it was as a novelist that he gained widespread recognition. His first novel, The Gospel Singer (1968), introduced readers to his unique blend of gritty realism and poetic prose. This was followed by other critically acclaimed novels, such as A Feast of Snakes (1976) and The Hawk Is Dying (1981). Crews's work often explored the complexities of human nature, delving into themes like poverty, violence, and redemption.
Notable Works or Actions
Crews was a prolific writer, publishing over 20 novels during his career. His works often featured vivid descriptions of rural life in the American South, as well as exploration of the darker aspects of human existence. Some notable works include:
The Gospel Singer (1968): A debut novel that introduced readers to Crews's unique style.
A Feast of Snakes (1976): A critically acclaimed novel that explores the complexities of human relationships.
* The Hawk Is Dying (1981): A novel that delves into themes of violence and redemption.
Impact and Legacy
Harry Crews's impact on American literature is undeniable. His unflinching portrayal of rural life in the South helped to shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of those living in poverty. Through his work, Crews humanized the struggles of his characters, making them relatable and memorable. As a result, he has become widely quoted and remembered for his insightful exploration of the human condition.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Harry Crews's quotes and writings are frequently referenced due to their poignant insights into the human experience. His ability to capture the complexities of rural life in the American South has made him a beloved and respected figure in literary circles. Readers continue to draw inspiration from his work, finding solace in its unflinching portrayal of hardship and resilience.
Harry Crews's legacy extends beyond his written works. He has inspired generations of writers to explore themes of poverty, violence, and redemption. As a testament to his impact, his novels remain widely read and studied today. Whether exploring the complexities of human nature or shedding light on overlooked experiences, Harry Crews's work continues to captivate readers with its unflinching honesty and poetic prose.
Quotes by Harry Crews
If you’re a person of feeling, if you feel things keenly and deeply – and I don’t think you can be a writer unless you feel things not just for the moment but they live in you – that costs you. I don’t think you can be a writer of consequence and merit unless you have grave doubts about yourself, about what you’ve done and who you are and whom you’ve hurt. And that costs you. And so, it all costs you. What is left is what all of us are going to get, a chance to know what it’s like to die.
If you wait until you got time to write a novel, or time to write a story, or time to read the hundred thousands of books you should have already read – if you wait for the time, you will never do it. ‘Cause there ain’t no time; world don’t want you to do that. World wants you to go to the zoo and eat cotton candy, preferably seven days a week.
He knew and accepted for the first time that things would not be different tomorrow. Or ever. Things got different for some people. But for some they did not. There were a lot of things you could do though. One of them was to go nuts trying to pretend things would someday be different.
It was not any one thing that scared him. It was everything. It was his life. His life terrified him. He didn’t see how he was going to get through the rest of it.
Alcohol whipped me. Alcohol and I had many, many marvelous times together. We laughed, we talked, we danced at the party together; then one day I woke up and the band had gone home and I was lying in the broken glass with a shirt full of puke and I said, ‘Hey, man, the ball game’s up’.
Writing a book is like torture that you don’t know, but after it’s done and there it is. It’s a joy like unlike anything else, I think it’s the closest that a man can come to knowing what is feels like to have a baby.
