Picture a Florida-born storyteller who weaves tales where reality bends and emotions cut deep—meet Laura van den Berg! Known for her haunting blend of speculative fiction and psychological depth, this acclaimed author has captivated readers with novels like The Third Hotel and short story collections that linger like a strange dream. From her Orlando roots to Harvard’s lecture halls, Laura’s journey is as compelling as her prose.
The Making of Laura van den Berg
Born on May 31, 1983, in Orlando, Florida, Laura van den Berg grew up in a vibrant, sometimes surreal state that would later shape her fiction’s eerie landscapes. A self-described non-literary kid, she devoured National Enquirer and Nancy Drew mysteries before stumbling into a fiction workshop at Rollins College (BA, 2005). That serendipitous moment sparked a love for short stories, leading her to an MFA at Emerson College. Early struggles, including dropping out of high school and battling depression, fueled her empathetic, introspective voice.
Laura van den Berg’s Unforgettable Stories
Laura’s debut collection, What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us (2009), introduced her knack for blending the mundane with the mythic, earning a Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award shortlist. Her second collection, The Isle of Youth (2013), followed suit, exploring women navigating secrecy and survival with lyrical ferocity. Her first novel, Find Me (2015), dives into a dystopian world where a memory-destroying illness tests human connection, while The Third Hotel (2018), a finalist for the NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award, follows a widow unraveling in a surreal Havana. Her latest, State of Paradise (2024), merges autofiction and speculative elements, reflecting her pandemic-era return to Florida.
Laura’s style is a tightrope walk between precision and disorientation. Her protagonists—often young women facing perilous choices—grapple with identity, loss, and the uncanny. Influenced by writers like Joy Williams and Roberto Bolaño, she crafts worlds that feel both visceral and otherworldly, earning her the title of “sorceress” from fans. Her stories, published in The Paris Review and McSweeney’s, amplify small moments to reveal profound truths.
Why Laura van den Berg Matters
Laura van den Berg’s work resonates because it dares to embrace uncertainty. Her speculative fiction doesn’t just entertain—it mirrors the chaos of human experience, from personal grief to global crises. Awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and Strauss Living Award (2021) underscore her influence, while her teaching at Harvard inspires new writers. By blending autofiction with the surreal, she’s carved a unique space in contemporary literature, inviting readers to question reality and find beauty in the unknown.
- Born: May 31, 1983, Orlando, Florida
- Key Works: What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us, The Isle of Youth, Find Me, The Third Hotel, State of Paradise
- Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship, Strauss Living Award, Bard Fiction Prize, PEN/O. Henry Award
Ready to get lost in a world where the strange feels strangely familiar? Snag The Third Hotel or State of Paradise and dive into Laura van den Berg’s mesmerizing speculative fiction!