Picture a Canadian-American storyteller who weaves science, history, and human quirks into spellbinding tales—meet Rivka Galchen! Born in 1976, this literary alchemist blends her medical background with a knack for crafting immersive worlds, earning her a spot among The New Yorker’s '20 Under 40.' From her debut novel to her witty essays, Galchen’s work captivates with its sharp wit and emotional depth.
The Making of Rivka Galchen
Rivka Galchen was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Israeli academic parents, moving to Norman, Oklahoma, as a preschooler. Her father, a meteorology professor, and her mother, a computer programmer, fostered a curious mind. Galchen earned a B.A. from Princeton, an M.D. from Mount Sinai, and an MFA from Columbia University, where she honed her writing. Her medical training and love for science seep into her stories, giving them a unique, analytical edge.
Rivka Galchen’s Unforgettable Stories
Galchen’s debut novel, Atmospheric Disturbances (2008), is a mind-bending tale of a psychiatrist convinced his wife has been replaced by a doppelgänger. Critics praised its 'tragicomic unreliability,' earning it the William Saroyan International Prize. Her 2014 short story collection, American Innovations, reimagines classic tales by male authors with female narrators, like a riff on Gogol’s 'The Nose' featuring a mysterious third breast. In 2016, Little Labors offered gemlike essays on motherhood, blending humor and literary references. Her 2021 novel, Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch, dives into the real-life witch trial of Johannes Kepler’s mother, mixing absurdity with sharp social commentary.
Galchen’s style is a kaleidoscope of wit, science, and emotional nuance. Her stories often explore identity, perception, and societal quirks, delivered in a playful yet profound tone. Whether it’s furniture walking out on a narrator or a 17th-century witch hunt, her work feels both fantastical and deeply human.
Why Rivka Galchen Matters
Rivka Galchen’s impact lies in her ability to bridge science and literature, offering fresh perspectives on human experience. Her feminist reimaginings in American Innovations challenge literary norms, while her essays in The New Yorker illuminate everything from motherhood to prosthetics. As a Columbia professor, she shapes new writers, and her awards—like a Guggenheim Fellowship—cement her influence. Galchen’s work invites readers to question reality and embrace the absurd, making her a vital voice in contemporary fiction.
- Born: April 19, 1976, Toronto, Canada
- Key Works: Atmospheric Disturbances, American Innovations, Little Labors, Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
- Awards: William Saroyan International Prize, Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award, Guggenheim Fellowship
Snag Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch and dive into Rivka Galchen’s witty, wondrous world!