Picture an American storyteller who turned the chaos of motherhood and modern life into literary gold—meet Lydia Kiesling! With her debut novel, The Golden State, Kiesling burst onto the literary scene, weaving razor-sharp prose with heartfelt observations. A novelist, essayist, and former editor of The Millions, she’s a rising star whose witty, unflinching voice captures the messiness of human experience.
From her explorations of parenthood to her incisive takes on capitalism and climate change, Kiesling’s work resonates with readers who crave stories that are both deeply personal and profoundly universal. Let’s dive into the world of this literary dynamo!
The Making of Lydia Kiesling
Born to a U.S. diplomat father, John Brady Kiesling, Lydia grew up as a foreign service kid, hopping between places like Israel, Morocco, Greece, and Armenia. This global upbringing shaped her keen eye for cultural nuances, which later seeped into her writing. After earning a degree in Comparative Literature from Hamilton College, she taught English in Istanbul and studied Turkic languages, fueled by a passion for storytelling across borders. Her early career included a stint at UC Berkeley’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, but it was her role as editor of The Millions from 2016 to 2019 that honed her literary chops, setting the stage for her own novels.
Lydia Kiesling’s Unforgettable Stories
Kiesling’s debut, The Golden State (2018), is a visceral portrait of motherhood and identity. It follows Daphne, a frazzled new mom who flees San Francisco with her toddler for a remote California desert, grappling with her Turkish husband’s visa woes. Critics, like Sarah Blackwood in The New Yorker, praised its subversion of road trip tropes, calling it a 'journey in the visceral realities of motherhood.' The novel earned Kiesling a National Book Foundation '5 Under 35' honor and a spot on the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize longlist.
Her second novel, Mobility (2023), is a sweeping bildungsroman tackling climate change and capitalism. It traces Bunny Glenn, a diplomat’s daughter who stumbles into the oil industry, from 1990s Azerbaijan to Texas. Inspired by Upton Sinclair’s Oil!, the book blends sharp humor with a critical lens on complicity, earning accolades from Time, NPR, and Vulture as a best book of 2023. Kiesling’s style—detailed, witty, and unflinchingly honest—makes complex themes accessible, whether she’s dissecting family dynamics or corporate greed.
Beyond novels, Kiesling’s essays shine in outlets like The New York Times Magazine, The Cut, and The New Yorker. From reflections on parenting to critiques of American culture, her nonfiction is as compelling as her fiction, often landing in anthologies like The Best American Essays 2016.
Why Lydia Kiesling Matters
Kiesling’s work bridges the personal and political, making her a vital voice in contemporary literature. Her novels don’t just tell stories—they challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths about motherhood, ambition, and environmental impact. By centering flawed, relatable characters, she humanizes big issues, sparking conversations about how we navigate a messy world. Her influence extends beyond books: in 2024, she managed a successful Portland City Council campaign, proving her commitment to civic engagement. Kiesling’s blend of literary talent and real-world action marks her as a storyteller who’s here to stay.
- Born: Foreign service family, with postings in Israel, Morocco, and more
- Key Works: The Golden State (2018), Mobility (2023)
- Awards: National Book Foundation '5 Under 35' (2018), Oregon Book Award finalist (2023)
- Fun Fact: She’s fluent in Turkish and studied Azerbaijani!
Snag The Golden State or Mobility and dive into Lydia Kiesling’s brilliant, witty world of modern storytelling!