Janet Malcolm
Janet Malcolm
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Janet Malcolm is a pen name used by born Joyce Carol Winer, an American journalist, critic, and essayist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 13, 1934, in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Currently active and living in New York City.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American. Journalist, Critic, Essayist.
Early Life and Background
Janet Malcolm grew up in a family of Jewish intellectuals who had fled Nazi-occupied Europe. Her father, Julius Winer, was a lawyer, and her mother, Eva Winer, was an artist. The family moved to the United States when Malcolm was eight years old, settling in Kansas City, Missouri.
Malcolm's early life was marked by a love of reading and writing. She developed a passion for literature and language, which would later become the foundation of her career as a journalist and essayist.
Major Accomplishments
Janet Malcolm is best known for her work as a literary critic and journalist. Her writing often focuses on themes of identity, culture, and the human condition.
Some notable accomplishments include:
Publishing numerous essays and articles in top-tier publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, and Harper's Magazine.
Writing critically acclaimed books like "Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession" (1981) and "In the Freud Archives" (1984).
Receiving awards for her contributions to journalism, including a National Book Award nomination.Notable Works or Actions
Janet Malcolm has published several notable works that have made significant impacts on the literary world:
Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession (1981) - A collection of essays examining the role of psychoanalysis in modern society.
* In the Freud Archives (1984) - An exploration of Sigmund Freud's life and work, including a re-examination of his infamous case studies.
These works demonstrate Malcolm's ability to delve into complex topics with nuance and thoughtfulness.
Impact and Legacy
Janet Malcolm's influence on contemporary literature is undeniable. Her thoughtful and incisive writing has inspired generations of writers and thinkers.
Her work continues to be widely read, discussed, and studied in academic circles. Many have praised her for shedding light on the complexities of human experience through her essays and articles.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Janet Malcolm is remembered for her unique ability to combine literary analysis with personal reflection. Her writing often delves into complex topics like identity, culture, and psychoanalysis, making it both accessible and thought-provoking.
Her commitment to exploring the human condition through literature has made her a beloved figure in the world of journalism and criticism.
Quotes by Janet Malcolm
Janet Malcolm's insights on:
The transgressive nature of biography is rarely acknowledged, but it is the only explanation for biography's status as a popular genre.
As an observer, I'm analysing my reactions, I guess, and my thinking; but about the process of writing... I am not very talented at talking about what I do as a writer.
I'm a very laboured writer. I hammer it out sentence by sentence, and it takes a long time. That's what the work is, right? To make the reader think it is not hard to do.
I don't go out of my way to be friendly, because it's completely unnecessary. People tell you what they are going to tell you no matter what.
Journalists who swallow the subject's account whole and publish it are not journalists but publicists.