Picture an American wordsmith who spun literary classics into hilarious text exchanges and twisted fairy tales into feminist fables—meet Mallory Ortberg, now known as Daniel M. Lavery! With a razor-sharp wit and a knack for blending humor with heartfelt commentary, Ortberg has carved a unique niche in contemporary literature and journalism, captivating readers with works like Texts from Jane Eyre and their iconic advice column, Dear Prudence.
Ortberg’s journey is as vibrant as their prose, marked by a fearless embrace of identity, a love for classic literature, and a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. From co-founding the beloved feminist website The Toast to reimagining fairy tales with a subversive twist, their work resonates with readers who crave stories that are equal parts clever and profound.
The Making of Mallory Ortberg
Born on November 28, 1986, in Northern Illinois, Mallory Ortberg grew up in a deeply religious household, the child of evangelical Christian pastors John and Nancy Ortberg. This upbringing, rich with biblical narratives and moral questions, shaped their complex relationship with faith, which later infused their writing with philosophical depth. Ortberg studied at Azusa Pacific University, a private evangelical college, where their love for literature blossomed. Early in their career, they honed their distinctive voice at sites like Gawker and The Hairpin, where they met Nicole Cliffe, their future collaborator. In 2013, the duo launched The Toast, a feminist humor website that quickly gained a cult following for its witty takes on literature, art, and culture.
Mallory Ortberg’s Unforgettable Stories
Ortberg’s literary debut, Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters (2014), became a New York Times bestseller, born from a column at The Hairpin and The Toast. The book imagines literary icons like Scarlett O’Hara and Mr. Rochester trading snarky, anachronistic text messages, blending humor with sharp character insights. Its success showcased Ortberg’s ability to make the canon accessible and hilarious.
In 2018, Ortberg released The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror, a darker, more subversive work that reimagines fairy tales like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid with feminist mischief and psychological depth. Drawing from their Toast series ‘Children’s Stories Made Horrific,’ the collection explores gender, power, and emotional complexity, earning praise for its eerie yet familiar tone. Their third book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You (2020), a memoir-in-essays, delves into their gender transition and religious upbringing with humor and sincerity. Their latest novel, Women’s Hotel (2024), further cements their versatility, weaving a narrative with their signature wit.
Ortberg’s style is a masterclass in balancing comedy and horror, often poking at societal norms with a playful yet incisive edge. Influenced by Shirley Jackson and John Bunyan, their work marries literary nerdiness with progressive ideals, making it both timeless and timely.
Why Mallory Ortberg Matters
Ortberg’s impact extends beyond their books. As Slate’s Dear Prudence from 2016 to 2021, they offered empathetic, witty advice, tackling everything from bidet disputes to complex family dynamics, earning a loyal following. The Toast, though shuttered in 2016, remains a cultural touchstone, preserved in the Library of Congress, and connected writers like Roxane Gay with a wide audience. Ortberg’s public transition to Daniel M. Lavery in 2018, alongside their marriage to trans scholar Grace Lavery, has made them a vital voice in queer and trans narratives, blending personal authenticity with literary innovation.
Their work challenges readers to rethink classic stories through a feminist and queer lens, sparking conversations about identity, power, and humor. For millennials and beyond, Ortberg is a literary trailblazer who proves that wit can be a powerful tool for change.
- Born: November 28, 1986, in Northern Illinois
- Key Works: Texts from Jane Eyre (2014), The Merry Spinster (2018), Something That May Shock and Discredit You (2020), Women’s Hotel (2024)
- Notable Role: Slate’s Dear Prudence columnist (2016–2021)
- Award: Named to Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ in media (2015)
About Mallory Ortberg
Snag Texts from Jane Eyre or The Merry Spinster and dive into Mallory Ortberg’s wickedly funny, thought-provoking world!