James Jones
James Jones: A Prolific American Novelist
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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James Calvin Jones was an American novelist born on November 25, 1921, in Robinson, Illinois. He is often referred to as simply "Jim" Jones or by his pen name, J.J.
Birth and Death Dates
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Jones lived a long life of 92 years, passing away on May 9, 2015.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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A proud American, James Jones was a novelist and writer who spent most of his career in the United States. He is best known for his contributions to American literature, particularly in the genres of war fiction and social realism.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up on a farm in Illinois, Jones developed an appreciation for the land and its rhythms. His family later moved to Chicago, where he attended high school before enlisting in the United States Navy during World War II. This experience would have a profound impact on his writing, as it exposed him to the harsh realities of war.
After serving in the Navy, Jones began writing seriously, drawing inspiration from his experiences and observations of life around him. He eventually settled in New York City, where he became part of the vibrant literary scene of the 1950s and 1960s.
Major Accomplishments
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Jones's most notable works include:
From Here to Eternity (1951): A novel that explores the lives of American soldiers stationed in Hawaii prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The book is a sweeping epic that delves into themes of love, loss, and war.
Some Came Running (1957): A novel about three former friends who reunite after one returns from World War II. This work explores issues of identity, morality, and the human condition.
Jones's novels are known for their unflinching portrayals of life, as well as their emphasis on character development and psychological insight.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his novels, Jones also wrote several non-fiction works and short stories. Some notable examples include:
The Ice Harvest (1962): A novel about a young man who becomes embroiled in a complex web of crime and deception.
A Touch of the Sun (1957): A collection of short stories that explore themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Throughout his career, Jones was recognized with numerous awards and accolades for his writing. He is perhaps best known for winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1952 for his novel _From Here to Eternity_.
Impact and Legacy
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James Jones's impact on American literature cannot be overstated. His works continue to be widely read and studied today, with many considering him one of the most important American novelists of the mid-20th century.
Jones's commitment to social realism and his unflinching portrayals of life have influenced generations of writers. His writing has been praised for its literary merit, as well as its ability to capture the complexities and nuances of human experience.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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James Jones is widely quoted or remembered for several reasons:
Honest portrayals of war: Jones's experiences in World War II had a profound impact on his writing, leading him to create works that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Exploration of the human condition: Through his novels and short stories, Jones probes fundamental questions about love, loss, morality, and identity.
* Literary innovation: Jones's use of non-linear narrative structures and experimental techniques helped push the boundaries of American literature.
Overall, James Jones is remembered as a masterful storyteller who left an indelible mark on American literature. His works continue to captivate readers with their unflinching portrayals of life and their exploration of the human condition.
Quotes by James Jones
James Jones's insights on:
It was strange how closely we returnees clung together. We were like a family of orphaned children, split by an epidemic and sent to different care centers. That feeling of an epidemic disease persisted. The people treated us nicely, and cared for us tenderly, and then hurried to wash their hands after touching us. We were somehow unclean. We were tainted. And we ourselves accepted this. We felt it too ourselves. We understood why the civilian people preferred not to look at our injuries.
But thats not love, he thought, thats not what she wants, nor what any of them want, they do not want you to find yourself in them, they want instead that you should lose yourself in them. And yet, he thought, they are always trying to find themselves in you.
I’ve owned a thousand houses that I’ve never built,” she said. “Never had the money to build. Couldn’t have used if I had had the money. Never really wanted to build maybe. But I still own the houses.“ – Karen Holmes in From Here To Eternity.
Is it really worth it to die, to be dead, just to prove to everybody that you’re not a coward?
And it seemed to him then that every human was always looking for himself, in bars, in railway trains, in offices, in mirrors, in love, especially in love, for the self of him that is there, someplace, in every other human. Love was not to give oneself, but find oneself, describe oneself.
The little red eyes glared at Prew challenging, almost hoping for some disagreement that would force Old Ike to prove his loyalty to Holmes, Wilson, the Company, and the cause, which might be Better Soldiering; Peacetime Preparedness; or the Perpetuation of An Aristocracy. Nobody could have named the Cause, but then its name was unimportant, as long as the Cause itself remained to levy loyalty.
Billions of hard, bright stars shone with relentless glitter across the tropic night sky.
Love either starves to death and becomes a shadow, or else it dies young and remains a dream.