John Edgar Wideman
John Edgar Wideman
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
John Edgar Wideman is a renowned American novelist, essayist, and short story writer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 21, 1941, in Readlyn, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, there is no publicly available information on his date of death.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American novelist, essayist, and short story writer.
Early Life and Background
Wideman was born to a family with a strong African American heritage. His father, John Edgar Wideman Sr., was an educator who later became the headmaster of the Frederick Douglass Institute in Pittsburgh. The younger Wideman grew up in a middle-class household with his mother, Dorothy Miller. He developed a passion for writing at an early age and began publishing his short stories while still in high school.
Major Accomplishments
Wideman's literary career spans over five decades, during which he has published numerous critically acclaimed novels, essays, and short stories. Some of his notable works include:
"Damballah" (1988), a novel that explores themes of racism, family history, and the power of storytelling.
"Philadelphia Fire" (1990), a novel set in 19th-century Philadelphia, which examines issues of slavery, freedom, and social justice.
* "Brothers and Keepers" (1984), a memoir that explores his relationship with his brother Robert, who was convicted of murder.
Notable Works or Actions
Wideman's writing often delves into themes of identity, family history, and the African American experience. He has also been involved in various literary projects and collaborations throughout his career.
Impact and Legacy
Wideman's work has had a significant impact on contemporary literature. His novels have been widely praised for their lyrical prose, nuanced characterization, and exploration of complex social issues.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Edgar Wideman is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking novels, essays, and short stories that offer a unique perspective on the African American experience. His work continues to be celebrated for its literary merit and its ability to spark important conversations about identity, social justice, and family history.
Quotes by John Edgar Wideman
What I wanted to do in talking about basketball in 'Hoop Roots' was retrieve the game as something to participate in, not to watch.
That's what writing is: it's imagining that you can make a world. That's what basketball is, too: it's imagining the game as a world.
I try to cope by doing what I do, what I find purpose and joy in. For me, that has been writing and playing ball. It doesn't make the pain go away, but what else can I do?
Basketball can give us a kind of mystical awareness. Everything seems focused and in balance.
A lot of people think the best work I've done was nonfiction - the 'Brothers and Keepers' book. But I think of myself as a fiction writer. And I think, if my work is put in perspective, all the books would be a continual questioning of what's true and what's not true, what's documented and what's not documented.
The whole idea of spellbinding, of being an entertainer, being the center of the stage, making up words - that let me know that writing is nice.
My father was a veteran. He fought in World War II. He was a patriot. On the other hand, he had no illusions whatsoever about how Uncle Sam had mistreated him and other black soldiers.
For a young person, anybody who's sorting out and trying to make a life for himself or herself, to have the opportunity each day to set down - sit down and then set down thoughts, words - it's a crucial, crucial way of staying alive, of not allowing yourself and not allowing the culture outside yourself to totally dominate your life.
That's been my routine for years and years... Up early before everybody else, before I get connected, before I get bugged, before I have obligations. Get the writing done first, then be the person I want to be in other ways after that.
When I'm doing the brute work, I do it early in the morning; that's the best time for me to get the stuff down on the page.