FAQ
How did Benjamin Moser start writing?
Benjamin Moser’s debut publication was a biography of Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector. Why This World: A Biography of Clarice Lispector began life as a passion project. Moser openly admits he fell in love with Lispector while at university and took it upon himself to tell their story.
Lispector was largely unknown in the United States and beyond until the publication of Why This World. The book has since been translated into several languages and has received universal praise for its meticulous detail and engaging presentation. However, Why This World was written by compulsion; there was no publishing agreement in sight, nor was one agreed upon until later in the creation process.
When will a new book be released?
Benjamin Moser’s new book called The Upside-Down World will be released on October 10, 2023.
How does Benjamin Moser find his inspiration and motivation?
When asked about what drives him to create his work, Benjamin Moser talks effortlessly and passionately about his chosen subjects and the joy of finding the right story to tell amidst the abundance of information.
How does Benjamin Moser compiling his books and research?
Benjamin Moser recalls a piece of advice he was given years ago, which has stuck with him ever since. “The real trick is not what you put into the book but rather understanding the pieces you decide to omit.”
Since publishing Why This World, Benjamin Moser has written two other books. Autoimperialismo – a collection of essays written in Portuguese and Sontag: Her Life and Work – the official authorised biography of Susan Sontag. This book earned Moser the 2020 Pulitzer prize for biography.
How does Benjamin Moser finds time to write?
When asked how he finds time to write and get everything done in an increasingly fast-paced world, Moser references the American author Gertrude Stein, who wrote for thirty minutes every day. Finding just half an hour to write adds up to consistent progress over time.
What’s next for Benjamin Moser?
Benjamin Moser’s new book is due to hit the stores in the fall and offers an interesting look into the golden age of Dutch art. His book The Upside-Down World: Meetings with the Dutch Masters aims to bring the story of famous Dutch painters to the public.
Having lived in the Netherlands for over twenty years, Moser was amazed to find that the life stories of Dutch painters were almost kept as a safely guarded national secret. Interested parties would need to dig extremely deep to find anything. With The Upside-Down World, Moser hopes to make Dutch art history that much more accessible to the rest of the world.