معرفی
Rebecca Makkai is a celebrated author and creative writing instructor currently teaching graduate fiction at Northwestern University, University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, Middlebury College, and the Bennington Writing Seminars. A 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, she serves as Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago and holds an MA from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English.
- Author of five critically acclaimed books including the Pulitzer Prize-finalist The Great Believers
- Recipient of the ALA Carnegie Medal, LA Times Book Prize, and Stonewall Book Award
- Her work has been anthologized in four consecutive editions of The Best American Short Stories
Makkai's literary work explores complex themes of identity, memory, and human connection across different historical periods. Her fiction often examines LGBTQ+ experiences, intergenerational trauma, and the power of art and storytelling to heal and transform. She approaches historical settings with meticulous research while maintaining emotional authenticity and narrative momentum. Her distinctive voice blends literary sophistication with accessible storytelling that resonates with both critics and general readers.
Her major works demonstrate an evolving exploration of trauma and resilience, from the coming-of-age themes in The Borrower to the devastating portrayal of the AIDS crisis in The Great Believers. Makkai's recent work I Have Some Questions for You combines literary mystery with deep psychological exploration, reflecting her ongoing interest in how past events shape present identities.
- Pulitzer Prize Finalist (2019)
- National Book Award Finalist (2018)
- ALA Carnegie Medal Winner (2019)
- LA Times Book Prize Winner (2018)
- Stonewall Book Award Winner (2019)
- Pushcart Prize Recipient (2017)
- Guggenheim Fellow (2022)
- NEA Fellowship Recipient (2014)
As an educator, Makkai mentors emerging writers through university programs and her leadership at StoryStudio Chicago. Her teaching focuses on narrative structure, character development, and the intersection of research and imagination in fiction writing. She frequently speaks about overcoming writer's block, conducting historical research for fiction, and navigating identity differences when writing across experience. Makkai lives on a midwestern boarding school campus where her husband teaches, and also maintains a residence in Vermont.
