Picture a New York-born poet and novelist who traded Manhattan's hustle for the ethereal glow of Arctic Norway—meet Rebecca Dinerstein Knight! With her lyrical prose and knack for weaving light and dark, she’s crafted stories that linger like a midnight sun. Her works, from the bilingual poetry of Lofoten to the heartfelt novel The Sunlit Night, capture self-discovery and love against stark, vivid landscapes.
Known for her ability to turn personal experiences into universal tales, Dinerstein Knight has earned praise from literary heavyweights like Jonathan Safran Foer and a Wallant Award for Jewish Literature. Let’s dive into her journey, from a Manhattan apartment to the top of the world.
The Making of Rebecca Dinerstein Knight
Born and raised in New York City, Rebecca Dinerstein Knight grew up in a creative family—her mother an architect, her father a sculptor, and her brother a film composer. This artistic backdrop fueled her imagination, but it was her bold move at 21 that shaped her voice. After graduating from Yale in 2009, she packed a suitcase and headed to Lofoten, a Norwegian archipelago, to live in an artist’s colony housed in a former asylum. There, surrounded by sheep, fog, and endless daylight, she wrote poetry that became her bilingual collection Lofoten. Later, she honed her craft at NYU’s MFA program, where she was a Rona Jaffe Graduate Fellow, setting the stage for her novels.
Rebecca Dinerstein Knight’s Unforgettable Stories
Dinerstein Knight’s writing is a tapestry of lyrical prose, witty observations, and deep emotional resonance. Her debut novel, The Sunlit Night (2015), follows Frances, a young artist fleeing heartbreak in Manhattan, and Yasha, a Russian baker’s son honoring his father’s wish to be buried 'at the top of the world.' Set in Lofoten’s surreal landscape, the novel blends quirky charm with poignant family dynamics, earning praise for its 'silky language' and warmth. It was adapted into a 2019 Sundance film, with Dinerstein Knight penning the screenplay, starring Jenny Slate and Gillian Anderson.
Her second novel, Hex (2020), dives into the messy, intoxicating world of love and ambition. Centered on Nell, an expelled PhD candidate obsessed with poisonous plants and her mentor Joan, the story unfolds on a university campus, weaving a 'love hexagon' with sharp wit and poetic precision. Critics lauded its 'dark and joyous witchery' and vibrant prose. Her poetry collection Lofoten (2012), written in English and Norwegian, captures her Arctic sojourn, exploring love, landscape, and self-discovery with a delicate balance of light and dark. A forthcoming nonfiction work, Notes to New Mothers, promises to bring her introspective lens to parenthood.
Her essays, published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Paris Review, showcase her versatility, blending personal reflection with cultural critique. Whether reviewing restaurants for The Village Voice or novels for The New York Times Book Review, her voice remains distinct—playful yet profound.
Why Rebecca Dinerstein Knight Matters
Dinerstein Knight’s work resonates for its ability to find beauty in the remote and the personal. Her Arctic-inspired stories invite readers to embrace solitude and seek connection, reflecting her own journey from urban roots to northern isolation. Her Jewish heritage and family dynamics infuse her narratives with warmth and complexity, earning her a Wallant Award and a dedicated following. By adapting The Sunlit Night for film, she’s bridged literature and cinema, bringing her Nordic vision to a wider audience.
Her influence lies in her fearless exploration of human emotions against unconventional backdrops, inspiring writers to find stories in the margins. As a poet, novelist, and essayist, she continues to illuminate the interplay of light and shadow in our lives.
- Born: New York City
- Key Works: Lofoten (2012), The Sunlit Night (2015), Hex (2020), Notes to New Mothers (forthcoming)
- Awards: Wallant Award for Jewish Literature
- Education: Yale (BA), NYU (MFA)
Snag The Sunlit Night or Hex and dive into Rebecca Dinerstein Knight’s lyrical world—where love, loss, and Arctic light collide!