Clare Beams

Clare Beams

Clare Beams is one of the most acclaimed American authors of contemporary literature. She has written two novels and a collection of short stories, each of which have been widely praised by critics and readers alike.

Beams was born in Micronesia and grew up in Virginia and Maryland, eventually graduating from Northwestern University. Beams is the author of one of the most beloved short story collections in contemporary literature, We Show What We Have Learned. This collection of surreal narratives was widely praised for its bold and innovative writing, and many critics have praised Beams for her impressive ability to craft stories that are both striking and thought-provoking.

Beams’ debut novel, The Illness Lesson, was widely acclaimed and was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award. This book tells the compelling story of a teenage girl who is sent to a mysterious school by her father. The school is designed to “cure” her sickness, but its real purpose is much more sinister. Throughout the novel, Beams explores the power dynamics of gender, class, and medicine in heartbreaking detail.

Beams’ second novel, Dreamwork, concerns a small beach town that is beset by mysterious occurrences. As the characters discover the secrets of the beach and its mysterious residents, they also unravel their own troubled pasts. Dreamwork is deeply imaginative and full of surprises, a unique and essential story that blends themes of family, identity, and magic.

Beams has also had her stories and poems published in a variety of magazines and journals. Beams’ writing shows a deep understanding of the human psyche and its infinite complexities, and her work is often praised for its emotional depth. Beams is currently writing a young adult novel, set in the same universe as her short fiction, which is due for release in 2021.

Clare Beams’ writing is beautiful, ambitious, and utterly captivating. Her books have earned widespread praise from critics and readers alike, and she is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and talented authors in contemporary literature. With her two novels and her collection of short stories, Beams has proven to be an essential author for anyone looking for striking and thought-provoking fiction.

Author books:

The Illness Lesson: A Novel

The Illness Lesson: A Novel

A captivating story of women's empowerment and self-discovery in the 1870s amidst a mysterious illness.