Rivka Galchen
Encyclopedia
Rivka Galchen is a Canadian
-American
writer. Her first novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, was published in 2008, has been translated into over 20 languages, and was awarded the William J. Saroyan International Prize for Fiction.
, Canada
. When she was an infant, her parents relocated to the United States, where she has lived ever since. She lived in Norman, Oklahoma
from 1982 to 1994, where her father, Tzvi Gal-Chen
, was a professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma
, and her mother was a computer programmer at the National Severe Storms Laboratory
. Her parents, of Jewish descent, had emigrated from Israel
before her birth.
Galchen began attending Princeton University
in 1994, where she was an English major, and applied in her sophomore year to an early-admissions program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
. She received her M.D.
from Mount Sinai in 2003, with a focus in psychiatry
. After completing medical school, she completed an MFA
at Columbia University, where she was a Robert Bingham fellow. She was a 2006 recipient of the Rona Jaffe
Foundation Writers' Award for women writers.
In spring 2011, Rivka Galchen is the Mary Ellen von der Heyden Fiction Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin
.
Galchen married Aaron Harnly in 2001, whom she met at Princeton University as a sophomore. They presently live in New York, where he recently completed a Ph.D from Columbia University.
, Harper's, the New York Times and The Believer
.
Galchen's first novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, features a character with her father's name, Tzvi Gal-Chen; the character is a psychiatrist and later a fellow of the (fictional) Royal Academy of Meteorology, a literary move that was described as an "awfully risky" but successful invocation of "triple unreliability" by critic James Wood of The New Yorker
.
Atmospheric Disturbances was represented by the William Morris Agency
, which reportedly chose it as one of two books to generate "buzz" for at the 2007 London Book Fair
. The novel was purchased by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
and published in May 2008. The novel received a significant amount of attention for a debut novel, including favorable reviews on the cover of The New York Times Book Review
and by critic James Wood of The New Yorker
. Wood wrote that the novel was best understood as "a contribution to the Hamsun-Bernhard tradition of tragicomic first-person unreliability." The novel was named as a finalist for the Mercantile Library's 2008 John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize, and for the Canadian Writers' Trust's 2008 Fiction Prize. On 20 October 2008, the novel was named as a finalist for the 2008 Governor General's Award
, one of Canada's most prestigious literary prizes.
As of 2009, Galchen teaches writing at Columbia University. She is a Contributing Editor at Harper's Magazine.
In 2010 Galchen was chosen by The New Yorker
as one of the top 20 American writers under the age of 40. Her short story "The Entire Northern Side Was Covered with Fire" was published in "Summer Fiction" issue of the same magazine (June 14 & 21, 2010).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer. Her first novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, was published in 2008, has been translated into over 20 languages, and was awarded the William J. Saroyan International Prize for Fiction.
Biography
Galchen was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. When she was an infant, her parents relocated to the United States, where she has lived ever since. She lived in Norman, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
from 1982 to 1994, where her father, Tzvi Gal-Chen
Tzvi Gal-chen
Tzvi Gal-Chen is the father of author Rivka Galchen, and a scientist known for his work on wind and thermodynamic variables.-Early Life In Israel:...
, was a professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, and her mother was a computer programmer at the National Severe Storms Laboratory
National Severe Storms Laboratory
The National Severe Storms Laboratory is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather research laboratory located at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma....
. Her parents, of Jewish descent, had emigrated from Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
before her birth.
Galchen began attending Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1994, where she was an English major, and applied in her sophomore year to an early-admissions program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
. She received her M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from Mount Sinai in 2003, with a focus in psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
. After completing medical school, she completed an MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
at Columbia University, where she was a Robert Bingham fellow. She was a 2006 recipient of the Rona Jaffe
Rona Jaffe
Rona Jaffe was a popular American novelist, publishing numerous works from 1958-2003. She may have been best known for her controversial novel, Mazes and Monsters...
Foundation Writers' Award for women writers.
In spring 2011, Rivka Galchen is the Mary Ellen von der Heyden Fiction Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin
American Academy in Berlin
The American Academy in Berlin is a research and cultural institution in Berlin whose stated mission is to foster a greater understanding and dialogue between the people of the United States and the people of Germany.The American Academy was founded in September 1994 by a group of prominent...
.
Galchen married Aaron Harnly in 2001, whom she met at Princeton University as a sophomore. They presently live in New York, where he recently completed a Ph.D from Columbia University.
Writing career
Galchen has written for several national magazines such as The New YorkerThe New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, Harper's, the New York Times and The Believer
The Believer (magazine)
The Believer is a United States literary magazine that also covers other arts and general culture. Founded and designed in 2003 by the writer and publisher Dave Eggers, it is edited by Vendela Vida, Heidi Julavits and Ed Park...
.
Galchen's first novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, features a character with her father's name, Tzvi Gal-Chen; the character is a psychiatrist and later a fellow of the (fictional) Royal Academy of Meteorology, a literary move that was described as an "awfully risky" but successful invocation of "triple unreliability" by critic James Wood of 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...
.
Atmospheric Disturbances was represented by the William Morris Agency
William Morris Agency
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
, which reportedly chose it as one of two books to generate "buzz" for at the 2007 London Book Fair
London Book Fair
The London Book Fair is a large book-publishing trade fair held annually, usually in April, in London, England. The London Book Fair has grown in size and importance in recent years, and 23,000 publishers, booksellers, literary agents, librarians, media and industry suppliers from over 100...
. The novel was purchased by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Farrar, Straus and Giroux is an American book publishing company, founded in 1946 by Roger W. Straus, Jr. and John C. Farrar. Known primarily as Farrar, Straus in its first decade of existence, the company was renamed several times, including Farrar, Straus and Young and Farrar, Straus and Cudahy...
and published in May 2008. The novel received a significant amount of attention for a debut novel, including favorable reviews on the cover of The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to The New York Times in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the industry. The offices are located near Times Square in New York...
and by critic James Wood of 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...
. Wood wrote that the novel was best understood as "a contribution to the Hamsun-Bernhard tradition of tragicomic first-person unreliability." The novel was named as a finalist for the Mercantile Library's 2008 John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize, and for the Canadian Writers' Trust's 2008 Fiction Prize. On 20 October 2008, the novel was named as a finalist for the 2008 Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
, one of Canada's most prestigious literary prizes.
As of 2009, Galchen teaches writing at Columbia University. She is a Contributing Editor at Harper's Magazine.
In 2010 Galchen was chosen by 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...
as one of the top 20 American writers under the age of 40. Her short story "The Entire Northern Side Was Covered with Fire" was published in "Summer Fiction" issue of the same magazine (June 14 & 21, 2010).
Published works
- Atmospheric Disturbances (2008), novel. Published in Germany by Rowohlt, Reinbek; translated by Grete Osterwald 2010 ISBN 978-3-498-02512-0
- "Dream Machine: The mind-expanding world of quantum computing" (2011) essay in The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
. - The Region of Unlikeness (2008), short story in The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
. - From the pencil zone: Robert Walser's masterworklets (2010), essay in Harper's MagazineHarper's MagazineHarper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
. - Disaster Aversion: The Quest to Control Hurricanes (2009), essay in Harper's MagazineHarper's MagazineHarper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
. - "http://www.harpers.org/archive/2010/02/0082833" (2010), short story 'Once an Empire' in Harper's MagazineHarper's MagazineHarper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
. - "Borges on Pleasure Island" (2010), essay in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- Case Notes of a Medical Student, multi-media piece in Triple Canopy (online magazine)Triple Canopy (online magazine)Triple Canopy is an online magazine, which was first published in 2008. In an effort to "slow down the Internet," the magazine curates and facilitates new media projects, which engage with the formal possibilities of the web. Its content ranges from art and literature to essays and critical theory...
- Wild Berry Blue (2008), short story in Open CityOpen City (magazine)Open City Magazine and Books was a New York City based magazine and book publisher that features many first-time writers alongside those who are well known. The editors are Thomas Beller and Joanna Yas. It is published by a nonprofit organization, Open City, Inc. Open City Magazine is released...
. Republished in The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2009The Best American Nonrequired ReadingThe Best American Nonrequired Reading is a yearly anthology of fiction and nonfiction selected annually by high school students in California and Michigan through 826 Valencia and 826michigan...
. - The Future of Paper (2011), essay in This Land.
- My Mother, Myself Essay in the New York Times.
Reviews
- New York Times review of Atmospheric Disturbances
- Baby got books review of Atmospheric Disturbances with biographical information and an interview
- Salon review of Atmospheric Disturbances
- The Economist review of Atmospheric Disturbances
- American Academy in Berlin
Interviews and profiles
- New York Observer profile of Galchen
- The New Yorker online interview of Galchen
- Anthem Magazine interview of Galchen
- Bookslut interview of Galchen