Russell Hoban
Russell Hoban
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Russell Hoban was born as William Russell Hoban on February 7, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is often referred to by his first name, Russell.
Birth and Death Dates
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February 7, 1925 – December 13, 2011
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American author of children's books, novels for adults, and essays.
Early Life and Background
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Russell Hoban grew up in a family that valued literature and the arts. His mother was an English teacher, and his father was a lawyer with a passion for writing poetry. From an early age, Hoban showed a keen interest in storytelling and language, which would become the foundation of his future literary career.
During World War II, Hoban's family relocated to England, where he spent part of his childhood. This experience would later influence his writing, particularly in his depiction of war-torn landscapes and characters struggling with trauma.
After completing high school, Hoban attended college, studying at various institutions before eventually settling on a career in writing.
Major Accomplishments
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Hoban's literary output spans over four decades, during which he published numerous critically acclaimed works. Some of his most notable achievements include:
"The Mouse and His Child" (1967): A novella that explores the relationship between a mouse father and son as they navigate their roles in a toy world.
"Riddley Walker" (1980): A dystopian novel set in a post-apocalyptic England, which won the 1981 Prometheus Award for Best Novel.
* "Turtle Diary" (1975): A novel that tells the story of two men who become obsessed with keeping turtles from being killed for food.
Notable Works or Actions
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Throughout his career, Hoban was recognized for his unique writing style and exploration of complex themes. He is perhaps best known for his children's books, which often incorporated elements of fantasy, humor, and social commentary.
Hoban's work has been praised by critics and readers alike for its thought-provoking nature, memorable characters, and vivid storytelling.
Impact and Legacy
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Russell Hoban's contributions to literature have had a lasting impact on the world of children's books and beyond. His innovative use of language, imaginative storylines, and exploration of complex themes continue to inspire new generations of writers and readers.
Hoban's influence can be seen in the work of many notable authors who have followed in his footsteps, including Neil Gaiman and Philip Pullman.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Russell Hoban is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking works that continue to resonate with readers today. His unique writing style, memorable characters, and exploration of complex themes have made him a beloved figure in the literary world.
Quotes by Russell Hoban
Nothing to be done really about animals. Anything you do looks foolish. The answer isn't in us. It's almost as if we're put here on earth to show how silly they aren't.
When you suffer an attack of nerves you're being attacked by the nervous system. What chance has a man got against a system?
There must be a lot of people in the world being wondered about by people who don’t see them anymore.
Seeds blow in the wind and what is earf but a deadness with life growing out of it?
Too-lateness, I realized, has nothing to do with age. Too-lateness is potentially every moment. Or not, depending on the person and the moment. Perhaps there even comes a time when it’s no longer too late for anything. Perhaps, even, most times are too early for most things, and most of life has to go by before it’s time for almost anything and too late for almost nothing. Nothing to lose, the present moment to gain, the integration with long-delayed Now.
We make fiction because we are fiction... It lived us into being and it lives us still.
People ask me how I got from St Eustace to Riddley Walker and all I can say is that it’s a matter of being friends with your head. Things come into the mind and wait to hook up with other things; there are places that can heighten your responses, and if you let your head go its own way it might, with luck, make interesting connections. On March 14th, 1974 I got lucky.
Here below the surface one studies the depths of TO BE, as manifest in AM, IS, and ARE. And if you don’t hold up your end of the conversation I may very well snap you in two.
Am I doomed? Flashing darkness is pretty much the same as flashing light really. Fear isn’t at all the same as courage but after a certain point perhaps being afraid of everything is the same as being afraid of nothing.