R. A. Lafferty
R.A. Lafferty: A Life of Imagination and Vision
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Raphael Albert Lafferty was born on March 24, 1914, in Neodesha, Kansas, to John and Anna Lafferty. He is often referred to as R.A. Lafferty or Raphael Aloysius Lafferty.
Birth and Death Dates
March 24, 1914 – January 18, 2002
Nationality and Profession(s)
American science fiction writer and poet
Lafferty's writing career spanned over four decades, producing a wide range of works that blended elements of fantasy, science fiction, and social commentary.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Kansas, Lafferty developed an early interest in literature and poetry. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he studied English and began writing seriously. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Lafferty returned to Oklahoma and continued his writing career.
Lafferty's background had a significant influence on his writing style and themes. His experiences as an army chaplain, combined with his interest in Catholic mysticism and social justice, infused his work with a unique blend of spirituality and critique of modern society.
Major Accomplishments
Lafferty is best known for his novels "Past Master" (1968) and "The Devil Is Dead" (1971), which explore themes of mythology, history, and social commentary.
His short stories have been widely anthologized and have won numerous awards, including several Hugo Awards and Nebula Awards.
Lafferty's poetry has also received critical acclaim, with his collection "Nine Hundred Grandmothers" (1970) winning the World Fantasy Award for Best Collection.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Lafferty's notable works include:
Past Master: A novel that explores the life and mythology of a 19th-century Irishman.
The Devil Is Dead: A novel that examines the intersection of history, theology, and social justice.
Nations of the World and Their Relatives: A collection of short stories that explore themes of myth, history, and culture.
Lafferty's work has been praised for its unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, and social commentary. His writing style is characterized by a strong sense of imagination, vivid world-building, and a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience.
Impact and Legacy
R.A. Lafferty's impact on science fiction and fantasy is immeasurable. His innovative approach to storytelling has influenced generations of writers, including notable authors such as Gene Wolfe and Ursula K. Le Guin.
Lafferty's legacy extends beyond his literary contributions. He was a vocal advocate for social justice, environmentalism, and human rights. His commitment to these causes infused his writing with a sense of purpose and urgency that continues to resonate with readers today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
R.A. Lafferty is widely quoted and remembered for his unique blend of imagination, vision, and social commentary. His work has had a lasting impact on the science fiction and fantasy genres, influencing generations of writers and shaping the course of literary history.
Lafferty's writing style, which blends elements of mythology, history, and social critique, continues to inspire readers and writers alike. His commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience, combined with his innovative approach to storytelling, has cemented his place as one of the most important science fiction and fantasy writers of the 20th century.
As a testament to his enduring legacy, Lafferty's work remains widely read and studied today, offering insights into the human condition that continue to resonate in our world.
Quotes by R. A. Lafferty
The ghost of some other fiction might say in truth to Science Fiction: “You’re not very good, are you?” But Science Fiction can answer “Maybe not, but I’m alive and you’re dead.
There was supervised recreation. This is the original contradiction of terms. It was for making suggestions about supervised recreation that the devil was cast into hell; any other account you have heard is false.
Put the nightmare together. If you do not wake up screaming, you have not put it together well.
When we travel we find how greatly our boyhood dreams are outstripped by reality .
Though my short stories are the more readable, my novels do have more to say; and they will, if anyone has the patience for it, repay a rereading.
True love is that we should hate whatever interferes with our vision of the high and the lowly.
Death is for a long time. Those of shallow thought say that it is forever. There is, at least, a long night of it. There is the forgetfulness and the loss of identity. The spirit, even as the body, is unstrung and burst and scattered. One goes down to death, and it leaves a mark on one forever.
I write as clearly as I am able to. I sometimes tackle ideas and notions that are relatively complex, and it is very difficult to be sure that I am conveying them in the best way. Anyone who goes beyond cliche phrases and cliche ideas will have this trouble.
