Ayelet Waldman (b.1964) is an Israeli-American novelist, essayist, and former lawyer known for exploring motherhood, relationships, and social justice. Her writing blends fiction, memoir, and legal insights, making her a distinctive voice in contemporary literature.
Born in Jerusalem, Israel, Waldman moved to the U.S. as a child. She studied at Wesleyan University, earning a B.A. in psychology and government, and later obtained a J.D. from Harvard Law School (1991.) She worked as a federal public defender before transitioning to writing.
Her notable novels include Love and Other Impossible Pursuits (2006,) adapted into a film starring Natalie Portman, Red Hook Road (2010,) and Love and Treasure (2014,) a historical novel about the Holocaust and the Hungarian Gold Train. She also wrote Daughter’s Keeper (2003,) a legal drama inspired by her criminal defense experience.
Her nonfiction works include Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace (2009,) sparking discussions on parenting and gender roles, and A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life (2017,) exploring psychedelic therapy.
Waldman edited collections such as Inside This Place, Not of It (2011) and Kingdom of Olives and Ash (2017,) featuring essays on women’s prisons and the Israeli occupation.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ayelet Waldman
The only difference between a writer and someone who wants to be a writer is discipline.
—Ayelet Waldman
Topics: Writing, Discipline
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