Richard Ford in the United States belongs to the classics of literature. His works are not distinguished by a fascinating adventure plot. However, they make the reader think about the essence of human existence. In recent years, the Russian reader has also had the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of an American author.
Facts from the biography of Richard Ford
The future famous American writer was born on February 16, 1944 in Jackson (Mississippi, USA). Until the age of eight, Richard traveled extensively with his father, who was a representative of a commercial company. When his father had his first heart attack, he left his son to be raised by his grandfather. After the second attack, which happened in 1960, his father passed away.
Years of study
Richard received his education at the University of Michigan. He entered the hospitality management department, but later switched to studying English and literature. While studying at the university, Richard met Christina Hensley, who became his wife in 1968.
After becoming a bachelor, Ford taught for a while in high school, and then went to serve in the Marine Corps. However, Richard was soon dismissed from the army for health reasons. Probably, this outcome did not upset Ford too much - now he was able to concentrate on the main business of his life. This business was literary creation.
For a long time, Ford studied literature diligently. Since childhood, he suffered from a rather rare form of dyslexia, so he usually read very thoughtfully and slowly. Ford also attended law school for a while, but dropped out.
The work of Richard Ford
At home, Ford is considered a living classic. His novel "Independence Day" received two solid prizes at once: the Pulitzer Prize and the Faulkner Prize. Ford's Independence Day is a kind of literary meditation, a reflection on how the modern world works. This is the look of an intelligent person at a not too smart hero who does not fully understand what is really going on with his life.
Reading Ford's works is easy enough, even when it comes to novels with intricate compositions. For a long time, very little was known about Ford's work in Russia. However, in recent years, three of his novels have been published in Russian.
Critics call Ford's writings "positive misanthropy" or even "life-affirming depression." The writer rejects false optimism and excessive pathos. In the description of Ford, life unfolds as a rare gift and a great test, where a person will have to accept good and evil with equal courage.
Richard's first book published in Russian was his novel "Canada". Some readers call this piece odd. In his declining years, the hero of the novel feels like just an abandoned child, a stranger and a stranger. Critics find similarities between Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Canada" and "Teenager". The difference between the two works is that Ford, with great skill, infuses his narrative with beautiful landscapes.
