“When I was very little, four or five, I did comic strip drawings, so my first novel had no words. I couldn't write and thought adult handwriting was a mysterious scribble. When I was 14, my grandmother gave me a typewriter and I started writing in a different way.”

American novelist and critic, 1938–present. She is best known for her prolific output of psychological fiction, exploring themes of isolation, trauma, and human resilience. Her work spans more than five decades, blending literary depth with unflinching social commentary.