Picture an American storyteller whose pen weaves tales of family secrets, resilience, and the quiet dramas of everyday life—meet Susan Richards Shreve! Born in 1939, this novelist, memoirist, and children’s author has crafted a literary legacy with over a dozen novels, a poignant memoir, and thirty children’s books. From her gripping adult novels to the beloved Joshua T. Bates series, Shreve’s stories resonate with readers of all ages, blending heartfelt emotion with sharp insight.
With a career spanning decades, Shreve has not only written unforgettable stories but also shaped the literary world as a co-founder of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and a long-time professor at George Mason University. Her work, infused with themes of identity and the weight of the past, has earned her accolades like the Edgar Allan Poe Award. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this master storyteller.
The Making of Susan Richards Shreve
Born on May 2, 1939, in Toledo, Ohio, Susan Richards Shreve moved to Washington, D.C., at age three, where storytelling became her refuge. Stricken with polio before kindergarten, she spent time at the Warm Springs Polio Foundation, an experience that shaped her memoir, Warm Springs: Traces of a Childhood. This early brush with adversity fueled her imagination, as she spun dramatic tales with her dolls while bedridden. Shreve’s love for stories carried her to the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1961) and the University of Virginia (M.A., 1969), setting the stage for her writing career.
Her early years as a writer unfolded alongside raising four children, teaching, and co-founding the MFA program at George Mason University in 1980. Shreve’s storytelling roots, nurtured in a family fond of narrative, blossomed into a career that balanced literary fiction with accessible children’s books, often published under the name Susan Shreve. Her ability to juggle these roles hints at the resilience that defines her characters.
Susan Richards Shreve’s Unforgettable Stories
Shreve’s novels are intricate tapestries of family dynamics and personal discovery. Her 2019 novel, More News Tomorrow, follows Georgianna Grove, a 70-year-old anthropologist unraveling her mother’s 1941 murder. This chilling yet elegant tale explores racism, antisemitism, and the haunting pull of the past, earning praise for its “beautiful language” and suspense. Another gem, You Are the Love of My Life (2012), delves into love and betrayal in a Washington, D.C., neighborhood, showcasing Shreve’s knack for nuanced relationships.
For younger readers, Shreve’s Joshua T. Bates series (1984–2000) captures the angst of middle school with humor and heart. The series’ hero, a third-grader facing the humiliation of repeating a grade, resonates with kids navigating their own challenges. Her 2001 novel, Blister, an ALA Notable Book, follows a girl grappling with family upheaval, blending magical realism with raw emotion. Shreve’s style—described as “refined” by the Washington Post—merges vivid characters with subtle social commentary, making her stories both intimate and universal.
Her memoir, Warm Springs (2007), stands out for its honest portrayal of childhood illness and the community she found among other polio patients. Critics lauded its “riveting, honest, unforgettable” voice, cementing Shreve’s ability to transform personal pain into universal truths.
Why Susan Richards Shreve Matters
Shreve’s impact extends beyond her books. As a co-founder of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, she championed literary excellence and brought authors into D.C. schools through the Writers in Schools program. Her 40-year tenure at George Mason University has inspired countless writers, while her novels tackle timeless themes like identity and justice, resonating in today’s divided world. Awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Edgar Allan Poe Award reflect her storytelling prowess, yet her true legacy lies in the readers she touches.
In Washington, D.C., where she’s lived since childhood, Shreve remains a literary anchor, hosting writing groups and nurturing the city’s fiction scene. Her work reminds us that stories—whether for adults or children—can heal, connect, and inspire.
- Born: May 2, 1939, Toledo, Ohio
- Key Works: More News Tomorrow, You Are the Love of My Life, Warm Springs, Joshua T. Bates series
- Awards: Edgar Allan Poe Award (1988), Guggenheim Fellowship (1980), National Endowment for the Arts grant
Snag More News Tomorrow or the Joshua T. Bates series and dive into Susan Richards Shreve’s heartfelt, thought-provoking world!