Picture an American storyteller who weaves history and heart into unforgettable tales—meet Laurie Lico Albanese! With novels like Hester and Stolen Beauty, she reimagines the past through a vibrant, feminist lens, giving voice to women often left in history’s shadows. Her meticulous research and lush prose pull readers into worlds where art, ambition, and courage collide.
Laurie’s storytelling isn’t just about the past; it’s about connecting us to the human spirit, making her a beloved voice in historical and literary fiction. Ready to step into her world?
The Making of Laurie Lico Albanese
Born in 1959, Laurie Lico Albanese grew up in a blue-collar suburb, an experience that shaped her raw, emotional memoir Blue Suburbia. Her early life wasn’t always easy, marked by a challenging childhood she later explored in verse. Laurie’s love for stories led her to a career in journalism and publishing, with pieces in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune. She honed her craft with an MFA from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast program, where mentors like Susan Conley inspired her to dive deep into fiction.
Her travels—to Vienna for Stolen Beauty and Florence for The Miracles of Prato—fueled her passion for bringing historical settings to life. Laurie’s curiosity about people and places became the heartbeat of her writing, blending research with imagination.
Laurie Lico Albanese’s Unforgettable Stories
Laurie’s novels are a masterclass in reimagining history. Hester (2022), a feminist retelling of The Scarlet Letter, centers on Isobel Gamble, a young immigrant navigating 19th-century Salem. With themes of witchcraft, the Underground Railroad, and female empowerment, it’s a gripping tale that earned accolades like an Audible Best Book of 2022 and a Goodreads Best Books finalist spot.
Stolen Beauty (2017) dives into Vienna’s art world, intertwining the lives of Adele Bloch-Bauer, Gustav Klimt’s muse, and her niece Maria Altmann, who fought to reclaim Klimt’s stolen paintings after Nazi looting. Praised by The Wall Street Journal as “a work of art itself,” it’s a dazzling blend of glamour and grit. The Miracles of Prato, co-written with Laura Morowitz, explores Renaissance Italy through painter Fra Filippo Lippi’s forbidden love, while Lynelle by the Sea tackles grief and motherhood with heartrending depth.
Laurie’s style is vivid and immersive, with a knack for uncovering the emotional truths of historical women. Her themes—art, identity, and resilience—resonate across time, making her stories both timeless and timely.
Why Laurie Lico Albanese Matters
Laurie Lico Albanese’s impact lies in her ability to amplify marginalized voices, especially women’s, in historical fiction. By reimagining figures like Hester Prynne or Adele Bloch-Bauer, she challenges traditional narratives and invites readers to rethink the past. Her work inspires book clubs, libraries, and indie bookstores, where her novels consistently land on IndieBound lists.
As a teacher and speaker, Laurie fosters creativity, leading workshops for aspiring writers and engaging audiences with her warmth and insight. Her awards, including a New Jersey State Council of the Arts Fellowship and a Hadassah-Brandeis Research Award, reflect her literary prowess and dedication.
About Laurie Lico Albanese
- Born: 1959
- Key Works: Hester, Stolen Beauty, Blue Suburbia, The Miracles of Prato
- Awards: Hadassah-Brandeis Research Award, NJ State Council of the Arts Fellowship
- Fun Fact: Laurie loves nature, kayaking, and yoga!
Snag Hester or Stolen Beauty and dive into Laurie Lico Albanese’s captivating historical fiction!