Picture a California wordsmith weaving tales from Brazilian avant-garde to American messianic movements—meet Adam Morris! This award-winning author and translator has carved a unique niche in the literary world, blending wit, cultural insight, and a knack for bringing international voices to English readers. From his debut novel to his deep dives into history, Morris’s work is a vibrant tapestry of storytelling.
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1983, Morris now calls San Francisco home, where he crafts his prose and translations. His journey from a literature-obsessed kid to a celebrated figure in global literature is as fascinating as the stories he tells.
The Making of Adam Morris
Growing up with a passion for reading and writing, Adam Morris immersed himself in books from an early age. His love for literature led him to Stanford University, where he earned a PhD in Latin American Literature. This academic foundation fueled his career as a translator, introducing him to the works of Brazilian and Latin American authors. Morris’s early career saw him honing his craft, translating complex texts while developing his own voice as a writer.
His translation work began to gain recognition, earning him prestigious awards like the Susan Sontag Foundation Prize in 2012 and a PEN/Heim Translation Grant in 2017. These accolades set the stage for his dual career as both a translator and an author, blending scholarly precision with creative flair.
Adam Morris’s Unforgettable Stories
Morris’s debut novel, My Dog Gave Me The Clap (2011), is a quirky, irreverent tale that showcases his ability to tackle personal narratives with humor and heart. The book marked his arrival as a fiction writer, blending raw honesty with a playful tone that resonates with readers.
His non-fiction work, American Messiahs: False Prophets of a Damned Nation (2019), is a gripping exploration of messianic figures in U.S. history, from Civil War-era anticapitalist Cyrus Teed to the infamous Jim Jones. With sharp analysis and engaging prose, Morris uncovers how these charismatic leaders reflect America’s search for salvation, earning praise as a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice.
As a translator, Morris has brought Brazilian literary giants to English audiences. His translations of Hilda Hilst’s With My Dog-Eyes (2014) and Beatriz Bracher’s I Didn’t Talk (2018) capture the avant-garde and political nuances of these works, earning him Northern California Book Awards in 2019 and 2022. His translation of João Gilberto Noll’s Quiet Creature on the Corner (2016) further showcases his skill in rendering surreal, introspective narratives.
Why Adam Morris Matters
Adam Morris’s impact lies in his ability to bridge cultures and genres. As a translator, he amplifies underrepresented voices in global literature, making works by Hilda Hilst and Beatriz Bracher accessible to English readers. His own writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, challenges readers to think critically about society, identity, and history. By blending humor, scholarship, and storytelling, Morris has become a vital voice in contemporary literature.
His work also highlights the power of independent presses, which often publish his translations, fostering niche readerships and preserving literary diversity. Morris’s dedication to his craft continues to inspire aspiring writers and translators, proving that storytelling can transcend borders and eras.
- Born: 1983, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Key Works: My Dog Gave Me The Clap, American Messiahs, translations of With My Dog-Eyes and I Didn’t Talk
- Awards: Susan Sontag Foundation Prize (2012), PEN/Heim Translation Grant (2017), Northern California Book Awards (2019, 2022)
Ready to dive into Adam Morris’s world? Snag American Messiahs or explore his translations for a literary adventure that’s equal parts witty and profound!