Posted on July 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The literary world lost several figures in the past few days.

One death that has drawn considerable attention is that of Irish writer Edna O’Brien, who died Saturday at the age of ninety-three.

Her half-century-long career began with The Country Girls, which like subsequent works drew fierce criticism (and sometimes actual censorship) but also considerable praise.

The Guardian has an obituary, commentary on the trail she blazed for other writers, and remembrances from the literary community; The New York Times has an appreciation of O'Brien as well.

Another obituary for a nonagenarian, albeit one whose genre was a bit different: Francine Pascal, creator of the Sweet Valley High series, who died Sunday at age ninety-two.

The New York Times credits Pascal, in its obituary of her, for revolutionizing the young-adult publishing world.

The Times also has obituaries for two nonfiction writers: Gail Lumet Buckley and James C. Scott.

Buckley, the daughter of singer and actress Lena Horne, chronicled their family history in two books, died July 18 at age eighty-six.

Scott, described as "one of the world’s most widely read social scientists," died July 19 at age eighty-seven.

Categories: Today in Books

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