Lauren Oliver: biography and bibliography

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Lauren Oliver was born in 1982 in Queens and grew up in New York's Westchester County, a small town that is very similar to the place described in the writer's debut novel. Both her parents were professors of literature, and a creative atmosphere always reigned in the house. Parents from a very early age encouraged Lauren and her sister to write different stories, draw, arrange costumed dances, developing their daughters' creative imagination and ingenuity. And, of course, Lauren Oliver from childhood instilled a love of books and reading. The parental home was filled with art and a huge number of books. The writer admits that since then and to this day, it is this creative environment that she likes the most.

Biography Facts

As mentioned above, the love of reading was instilled in Lauren Oliver from childhood, and this love gradually grew into a craving for writing. She loved not only to read, but also to add endings to the books she liked, and even write sequels to them. The writer often jokes that she started writing so-called fanfiction even before the term was invented. Later, Oliver Lauren began to write her ownstories by creating and bringing to life many characters.

In addition to writing stories, during her studies, Lauren was engaged in ballet, painting and drawing, cooking (which turned into another hobby for life), and in general tried to make her school life as diverse as possible.

After entering college in Chicago, Lauren Oliver studied philosophy and literature there. After college, she returned to her hometown and entered New York University, where she successfully completed her Master of Arts degree. After leaving the walls of the university, she got a job in the publishing department of Penguin Books, where she managed to work first as an assistant editor, and then as a junior editor. While working here, the future writer began to write her first novel. In 2009, she left her job to devote herself to writing full-time, releasing her first book in 2010. Since then, Lauren Oliver, whose book reviews have been positively reviewed by both venerable literary critics and agencies and ordinary readers, has entered the cohort of successful authors, and her new works are eagerly awaited all over the world.

The author now lives in Brooklyn, and, as she herself says, "is happy to be able to work at home every day in my favorite pajamas." Her interests are not limited to writing alone. In addition to writing books, Lauren travels a lot, loves to read, cook, dance, run and write funny songs.

Literary debut

Lauren Oliver, whose books have already wonrecognition and find a place on the bookshelves and in the hearts of readers, began her writing career, releasing the novel Before I Fall in 2010 (“Before I Fall” in Russian translation). The book is written in the horror genre and is intended for teenagers up to 17 years old. The plot of the novel tells about a young girl Sam (Samantha), who, on the eve of Valentine's Day on February 12, gets into a car accident along with a group of friends. The car flies into the darkness, and those sitting in it die. But the next morning, Samantha wakes up as if nothing had happened, sighing with relief. However, after some time, he realizes that the events of the previous day are repeated. The girl understands that she has fallen into a time loop, and now she has to unravel the reasons for this and find answers to important questions of life … and death.

Lizel and Po

In 2011, Lauren released her first children's book, Lizl & Poe. The Amazing Adventures of a Girl and Her Ghost Friend. The book tells about the girl Lizl, who is locked in the attic by her cruel stepmother. One day, Po appears to her - a ghost who is also lonely, but together they brighten up each other's loneliness. At the same time, Will, an apprentice alchemist, made a mistake and mixed up the boxes of magical ingredients… This leads to unexpected consequences, and the three of them go on an amazing journey.

The book was very warmly received by both children and adult readers.

Spinners

2012 in the creative career of Lauren Oliver was marked by the release of the book “The Spinners. Magic Adventuresgirls Lisa and her brother Patrick. This is another fairy tale that will appeal to both children and adults, telling about such eternal things as love, loy alty and hope. The plot tells the story of a girl, Lisa, whose soul of her brother, Patrick, was taken away by magical spider-spinners. To save her brother, she will have to go down into the very lair of spiders, underground, find their queen, fight her and win.

Panic (2014)

The book "Panic" by Lauren Oliver after its appearance became a bestseller. The book takes place in a small, sleepy and remote town. Panic is the name of the game in which graduates participate. The reward for winning is great, but the stakes are also high. The heroes participating in the game will have to face their fears and understand themselves, their friends, get answers to important life questions.

Roman Rooms

Written also in 2014, the book is told from the point of view of two ghosts living in an old house. "Rooms" was the first novel by the writer, intended for an adult audience. The pages of the book reveal a fascinating story about the interweaving of the paths of the dead and the living, family mysteries and secrets. The action takes place in the rooms and corridors of an old house left after the death of a we althy owner. His family arrives to dispose of the inheritance, but they do not know that the house has keepers - two ghosts who died long ago, but did not leave its walls. Gradually, the world of the living and the world of spirits collide - and this leads to completely unforeseenconsequences.

Disappearing Girls (2015)

This is a story about sisters who were victims of a terrible accident that completely changed their whole life. If before the accident they were inseparable, then the fateful day separated them, making them completely strangers. On the day of her birth, one of the sisters disappears, and at first this does not arouse any suspicion. But then a little girl goes missing, and the second sister begins to suspect that the disappearances are connected somehow. Now she has to find her missing sister… And they both have to find themselves.

Delirium Series

In addition to the books listed above, Lauren Oliver began creating a trilogy in 2011 under the general title "Delirium". The trilogy can be called books that reveal the theme of "the apocalypse of our time." The series consists of three books, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Book One – Delirium

The action takes place in the near future. The world we know has changed significantly. People have been looking for the cause of all troubles and disagreements for a long time, and finally found it. It turned out to be love. The feeling was recognized as a dangerous disease, amor deliria, and outlawed. Anyone "sick" with feelings can pay dearly for the manifestation of their emotions. To avoid the disease, all citizens, upon reaching the age of 18, undergo the so-called Procedure, clearing the mind of a person from the memory of the past, which contains the virus of the disease of love.

The main character has very little time left before the Procedure. As a loyal citizen of the new world, shewaiting impatiently for her, remembering the fate of her mother, who was "sick" amor deliria. But circumstances bring her together with a man who forces her to change her mind. And now, in order to save the fragile sprouts of feelings that have arisen and not fall under punishment, all that remains is to run. But just like that, from a world where love is recognized as a disease, they won’t let her escape…

Pandemonium Book Two

Lauren Oliver's book "Pandemonium" continues the first part of the trilogy, "Delirium". The heroine managed to escape from the post-apocalyptic world, where a strict ban is imposed on love. Having managed to find and lose her love, she finds herself in the Wilderness, where there is no prohibition on feelings, but you have to fight daily for survival, surrounded by both "clean" and infected people.

Requiem Book Three

The book is the third in the series and continues the story told in Delirium and Pandemonium. The heroine regains her seemingly lost love. The government decides to start a campaign in the Wildlands in order to eliminate the infected, and now it is necessary to stand up for the future. Meanwhile, the heroine's best friend continues to live in a world free of amor deliria and prepares for her wedding with the young mayor… The denouement is near, and soon all victories will be won, secrets exposed, and feelings revealed.

"Annabelle" and "Hana"

These stories also belong to the Delirium trilogy. Lauren Oliver's short story "Hana" (or "Hanna" in some translations) refers to the first part of the trilogy, sometimes also called "Delirium" 1.1. The narration here is conducted on behalf of Hana Tate, the best friend of the main character of the trilogy Lina, and allows you to look at what is happening through her eyes.

Lauren Oliver's story "Annabelle" completes the second book in the series. The plot here is presented on behalf of Lina's mother, who allegedly committed suicide - in any case, Lina was told so. But in fact, as a "sick" amor deliria, she was imprisoned in a prison cell. Being a fighter by nature, Annabelle does not give up and fights to the end. This is a story about love, children, unbending willpower and a daring escape from custody.

In addition to these two stories, the Delirium story cycle also includes the stories "Raven" and "Alex", where the plot is illuminated from the point of view of other acting characters.

Books by the author in Russia

The Eksmo publishing house is engaged in the translation and publication of the writer's books in Russia. Books are sold in thousands of copies, which is another confirmation of the indisputable talent of the writer. Horror, science fiction, fantasy, children's works - all this variety of genres also testifies to the creative abilities of the young American writer. Well, the author's fans believe that she has a very long and productive creative path ahead of her.