Picture an American storyteller weaving tales of power, silence, and identity with poetic finesse—meet Idra Novey! Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Novey is a novelist, poet, and translator whose lyrical prose and sharp political insight have captivated readers worldwide. Her debut novel, Ways to Disappear, sparked a literary sensation, blending mystery with humor, while her later works solidified her as a vital voice in contemporary fiction.
With a knack for crafting stories that dance between languages and cultures, Novey’s work invites readers into worlds where characters grapple with truth and transformation. Whether she’s translating Clarice Lispector or penning her own novels, Novey’s storytelling is as vibrant as it is profound. Let’s dive into her journey and discover why she’s a literary star on the rise!
The Making of Idra Novey
Idra Novey grew up in the Rust Belt of western Pennsylvania, surrounded by the stark beauty of a region shaped by coal mines and economic shifts. One of four siblings, she was immersed in a multilingual household, thanks to her father’s Spanish fluency and exchange students from Brazil and Argentina. This early exposure to diverse languages and cultures ignited her passion for storytelling. After graduating from Barnard College and earning an MFA from Columbia University, Novey traveled to South America, honing her skills in Portuguese and Spanish. These experiences as a translator laid the foundation for her unique literary voice, blending poetic precision with narrative depth.
Idra Novey’s Unforgettable Stories
Novey’s debut novel, Ways to Disappear (2016), is a literary thriller that follows a Brazilian novelist who vanishes up a tree, leaving her American translator to untangle a web of gambling debts and family secrets. Praised for its witty prose and inventive structure—think dictionary entries and radio bulletins—it won the 2017 Sami Rohr Prize and the 2016 Brooklyn Eagles Prize. Her second novel, Those Who Knew (2018), is a chilling political thriller set on an unnamed island, exploring silence and complicity in the face of power. It was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a finalist for the 2019 Clark Fiction Prize.
Novey’s latest novel, Take What You Need (2023), is her most personal, set in the Allegheny Highlands of Appalachia. It follows an estranged stepmother and daughter navigating art, isolation, and reconciliation, earning a spot as a New York Times Notable Book. Her poetry collections, like Exit, Civilian (2011) and the forthcoming Soon and Wholly (2024), showcase her lyrical intensity. Novey’s style—concise, evocative, and layered with social commentary—makes her work both accessible and profound, appealing to readers who crave stories that challenge and enchant.
Why Idra Novey Matters
Idra Novey’s impact lies in her ability to weave urgent themes—power dynamics, cultural identity, and the cost of silence—into narratives that feel timeless yet timely. Her work resonates with readers navigating a divided world, offering insight into human resilience and complicity. As a translator, she’s brought Latin American voices like Clarice Lispector to new audiences, earning accolades like the PEN America Poetry in Translation Prize. Teaching at Princeton and NYU, Novey inspires the next generation of writers to embrace risk and authenticity. Her stories, translated into a dozen languages, continue to spark global conversations about art and truth.
- Born: 1978, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- Key Works: Ways to Disappear, Those Who Knew, Take What You Need, Exit, Civilian
- Awards: Sami Rohr Prize (2017), Brooklyn Eagles Prize (2016), Pushcart Prize (2022)
- Languages: Translates from Portuguese, Spanish, and Persian
Ready to explore Idra Novey’s mesmerizing world? Snag Ways to Disappear and dive into her thrilling blend of mystery and poetry!