Will Self (b.1961,) fully William Woodard Self, is an English writer, journalist, and broadcaster known for his satirical, grotesque, and psychologically complex fiction. His works explore mental illness, drug addiction, and urban life, blending dark humor with philosophical depth.
Born in London, he studied at Exeter College-Oxford, earning a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (1982.) He initially worked as a cartoonist and journalist, contributing to The New Statesman, The Guardian, and The Times before shifting to fiction.
His début collection, The Quantity Theory of Insanity (1991,) won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, establishing his reputation for absurdist storytelling. Other notable works include Cock and Bull (1992,) exploring gender and identity; Great Apes (1997,) a satirical take on human behavior; and How the Dead Live (2000,) examining death and consciousness. His novel Umbrella (2012,) praised for its modernist style, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Beyond fiction, Self has written non-fiction, including Psychogeography (2007,) exploring urban landscapes, and Why Read? (2021,) reflecting on literature and culture.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Will Self
A creative life cannot be sustained by approval any more than it can be destroyed by criticism.
—Will Self
Topics: Criticism
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