Julie Hecht
Encyclopedia
Julie Hecht is a contemporary American
fiction
writer
specializing in interlacing short stories
. She is best known for her book Do the Windows Open?, a series of short stories some of which first appeared independently in The New Yorker
. Those stories, Hecht’s first novel, The Unprofessionals, and her most recent story collection, Happy Trails to You, feature a female narrator who is a photographer. Hecht is also the author of Was This Man a Genius? Talks With Andy Kaufman, an extended interview and profile of Andy Kaufman
.
, New York
and spends Summer and Fall in Massachusetts
. She began writing fiction at age eight. In an interview with Publisher’s Weekly, Hecht claims the good reaction she got from her fellow schoolchildren gave her the motivation to keep writing. “It’s very nice to look at a group of people and see them all smiling and laughing,” the author told Publisher's Weekly interviewer Megan Kalan.The author is reclusive. She rarely gives interviews and avoids the use of information technology like websites and email. She prefers to write by hand, sitting on a couch, then sending her work to a typist.
, the Women’s Review of Books, and the Library Journal
. Hecht’s main character’s obsessive nature has been praised by some reviewers, one of whom calls her “beguiling and alienated,” and panned by others who find her “tiresome.”
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
specializing in interlacing short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
. She is best known for her book Do the Windows Open?, a series of short stories some of which first appeared independently in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
. Those stories, Hecht’s first novel, The Unprofessionals, and her most recent story collection, Happy Trails to You, feature a female narrator who is a photographer. Hecht is also the author of Was This Man a Genius? Talks With Andy Kaufman, an extended interview and profile of Andy Kaufman
Andy Kaufman
Andrew Geoffrey "Andy" Kaufman was an American entertainer, actor and performance artist. While often referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself one...
.
Personal life
According to her publisher’s website, Julie Hecht lives in the winter on the east end of Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and spends Summer and Fall in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. She began writing fiction at age eight. In an interview with Publisher’s Weekly, Hecht claims the good reaction she got from her fellow schoolchildren gave her the motivation to keep writing. “It’s very nice to look at a group of people and see them all smiling and laughing,” the author told Publisher's Weekly interviewer Megan Kalan.The author is reclusive. She rarely gives interviews and avoids the use of information technology like websites and email. She prefers to write by hand, sitting on a couch, then sending her work to a typist.
Critical reception
Hecht’s books have been favorably reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly, BooklistBooklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
, the Women’s Review of Books, and the Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
. Hecht’s main character’s obsessive nature has been praised by some reviewers, one of whom calls her “beguiling and alienated,” and panned by others who find her “tiresome.”