Edith Ann Pearlman, born Edith Grossman on June 26, 1936, was an American short story writer. On January 1, 2023, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy of literary works that have inspired and captivated readers for decades.
Over the course of her career, Pearlman published more than 250 works of short fiction and short non-fiction in various national magazines, literary journals, anthologies, and online publications. Her stories were renowned for their intricate plot lines, vivid imagery, and nuanced characterizations that explored the complexities of the human condition.
Pearlman’s contributions to American literature were widely recognized, with her work appearing in some of the most prestigious literary collections, including Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Collection, New Stories from the South, and The Pushcart Prize Collection – Best of the Small Presses. These accolades cemented Pearlman’s position as one of the most accomplished and talented short story writers of her generation.
Short Story Writer, Edith Pearlman passed away at the age of 86
Edith Pearlman, a celebrated American short story writer, became an overnight literary sensation at the age of 74. In 2011, she released her critically praised short story collection, “Binocular Vision,” which received widespread acclaim and cemented her position as one of the most talented and accomplished short story writers of her generation.
The book’s success was all the more remarkable because, until then, Pearlman had largely been overlooked by the literary establishment. Despite publishing over 250 works of short fiction and non-fiction in various national magazines, literary journals, anthologies, and online publications, Pearlman had not achieved the recognition she deserved.
On January 1, 2023, Edith Pearlman passed away at the age of 86 at her home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her passing is a great loss to the literary community, but her legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of readers and writers to come. The Cinderella story of her success is a reminder that talent and hard work can overcome even the most daunting of obstacles and that it’s never too late to achieve one’s dreams.
Edith Pearlman’s Parents are Adna and Herman
Edith Pearlman was born on June 26, 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island. She grew up in a middle-class Jewish neighborhood, the daughter of Edna (Rosen) and Herman Paul Grossman, an ophthalmologist. Pearlman’s father was born in Ukraine, and her maternal grandparents emigrated from Poland.
Pearlman received her education at Radcliffe College, where she graduated with a degree in government. After completing her studies, Pearlman pursued a career in writing, publishing over 250 works of short fiction and non-fiction in national magazines, literary journals, anthologies, and online publications.
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Pearlman’s dedication to writing was matched by her commitment to public service. Throughout her life, she worked in a computer firm and a soup kitchen, and she served in the Town Meeting of Brookline, Massachusetts. Pearlman’s community involvement reflected her belief in the importance of civic engagement and social responsibility.
She was a prolific writer
Edith Pearlman was a prolific writer whose work spanned various genres and publications. Her writing has been featured in some of the most prestigious literary collections, including Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Collection, New Stories from the South, and The Pushcart Prize Collection – Best of the Small Presses.
In 1996, Pearlman’s first collection of stories, Vaquita, won the Drue Heinz Prize for Literature and was published by the University of Pittsburgh University Press. Her second collection, Love Among The Greats, published by Eastern Washington University Press in 2002, won the Spokane Annual Fiction Prize. Her third collection, How to Fall, was published by Sarabande Press in 2005 and won the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction.
Pearlman’s fourth and perhaps most famous collection of stories, Binocular Vision: New and Selected Stories, was published in January 2011 by Lookout Books, a new imprint at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The collection was met with critical acclaim and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. It was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
She was also an Essayist and Travel Writer
Indeed, Edith Pearlman was a versatile writer with a range of literary talents beyond short fiction. Her short essays and travel writing were just as powerful and resonant as her fiction, showcasing her keen observational skills and lyrical writing style.
Her essays, which appeared in respected publications such as The Atlantic Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine, Preservation, Yankee Magazine, and Ascent, covered a variety of topics, from art and literature to history and personal experiences. Pearlman’s essays were marked by her distinctive voice and her ability to distill complex ideas into simple, elegant prose.
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Similarly, Pearlman’s travel writing was notable for its vivid descriptions of different cultures and places. Her travel writing was published in The New York Times and other prominent publications and covered destinations as diverse as the Cotswolds, Budapest, Jerusalem, Paris, and Tokyo. Pearlman’s travel writing was marked by her curiosity, empathy, and ability to capture the essence of a place and its people.
Throughout her career, Pearlman remained committed to exploring the complexities of the human experience through her writing. Her work was known for its lyrical prose, complex characters, and insightful explorations of the human condition. With her talent, dedication, and commitment to her craft, Pearlman inspired generations of writers and readers and left an indelible mark on the literary world.
Edith Pearlman was married to her husband Chester Pearlman
Edith Pearlman resided in Brookline, Massachusetts, with her husband, Chester Pearlman. Her husband is 55 years old. They were married for many years and had two children- Charles and Jessica Ann. Pearlman’s writing often drew inspiration from her personal experiences, and her family played a significant role in her life and work.
Despite her success as a writer, Pearlman was known for being a private person and kept much of her personal life out of the public eye. Her dedication to her family and her craft was evident in her writing, which captured the nuances of human relationships and emotions with great depth and sensitivity.
