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Lawrence Osborne
59quotes
Lawrence Osborne
Full Name and Common Aliases
Lawrence Osborne is a British novelist, journalist, and travel writer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 28, 1942 (exact date of death not publicly available)
Nationality and Profession(s)
British, Novelist, Journalist, Travel Writer
Early Life and Background
Lawrence Osborne was born in London, England. His early life is marked by a fascination with far-flung lands and cultures, which would later become a hallmark of his writing style. He spent much of his childhood traveling with his family to various parts of the world, including South America and Asia.
Major Accomplishments
Osborne's literary career spans multiple decades, during which he has published several critically acclaimed novels and non-fiction books. Notable among these are:
_The Shadow of the Wind_ (1981), a novel set in Barcelona after the Spanish Civil War
_A Distant Mirror_ (1988), a travelogue about 14th-century Europe
_The Forgetting and Other Dublin Stories_ (1993), a collection of short storiesNotable Works or Actions
Some of Osborne's most notable works include:
_The Shadow of the Wind_, which has been translated into over 20 languages and received critical acclaim for its unique blend of mystery, history, and literary criticism.
* _A Distant Mirror_, a travelogue that explores the culture and politics of medieval Europe through first-hand accounts and anecdotes.
Impact and Legacy
Lawrence Osborne's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, meticulous research, and ability to transport readers to unfamiliar lands. His novels often blend elements of mystery, history, and literary criticism, making him a standout figure in the world of contemporary literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Osborne's work continues to be widely read and studied today due to his unique perspective on global cultures and histories. His writing is remembered for its vivid descriptions of people, places, and events, as well as its ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner.
Quotes by Lawrence Osborne
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In 'Snow for Mother', a mother waits for her little boy to grow up so that she can take him to Alaska to experience the real snow, which he never knew as a little boy in the tropics.
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I love the novel as a form, as an adventure of mind and soul. Really, I absolutely love writing them; they consume my days and nights - what can I say? But I am an avid film student, too: I watch a movie every night.
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I spent a fair amount of time in Communist Poland when I was young - my wife was from there - and I had the impression that boredom was one of the things that was undermining that whole society from the inside.
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Boredom and sexual desire are a potent and explosive combination, and people will certainly risk their lives to exit a grey and boring life.
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I've got everything against likable characters. Likable characters are usually completely forgettable, and we don't really care. I think we love villains... precisely because they show us these disturbing complexities that I don't think nice characters do.
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My parents were decent, aspirant first-generation middle class. They read 'Reader's Digest', listened to classical music; my grandparents had a bust of Stalin on the mantelpiece. The kids of that generation were terrified of being below par, class-wise.
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Sometimes you can publish a first novel in a kind of lyrical flourish, but it is not really a lyrical form. The beautiful truths about the world are more hard won than that. Novels should be bleach boned. It's a question of cumulative observation and lived suffering. It takes time.
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So many writers live their whole lives in rooms. You can be too civilised in the environment you have around you, too oriented towards speaking engagements and literary festivals and dinner parties. That has no interest for me these days. You get to a point where you don't care anymore. At that point, you can start to write.
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