Jonathan Franzen was born in 1959 and is the author of five novels – The Twenty-Seventh City, Strong Motion, The Corrections, Freedom, Purity, – a collection of essays, How to Be Alone, a memoir, The Discomfort Zone and a translation of Spring Awakening, and most recently, The Kraus Project, a translation and consideration of Karl Kraus’s essays.
His honours include a Whiting Writers Award in 1988, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1996, the American Academy’s Berlin Prize in 2000, and the National Book Award in 2001. He writes frequently for the New Yorker, and lives in New York City.
Jonathan Franzen was born in 1959 and is the author of five novels – The Twenty-Seventh City, Strong Motion, The Corrections, Freedom, Purity, – a collection of essays, How to Be Alone, a memoir, The Discomfort Zone and a translation of Spring Awakening, and most recently, The Kraus Project, a translation and consideration of Karl Kraus’s essays.
His honours include a Whiting Writers Award in 1988, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1996, the American Academy’s Berlin Prize in 2000, and the National Book Award in 2001. He writes frequently for the New Yorker, and lives in New York City.
Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
VideoMay 12 2026
Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A
Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
VideoMay 8 2026
Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A
Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.
