Ellen Van Oosten
Ellen Van Oosten is a writer of impressive vision and skill. Since her debut book of short stories, ‘Something Blue’ (2014), she has regularly published works that explore themes of family, gender, identity, and love. Each piece she puts forward offers readers an unequivocal look at life, often from the perspective of an outsider.
Born in Washington, D. C. in 1979, Van Oosten spent her childhood in Northern Virginia before moving to Boston for college and subsequently relocating to Boston, Massachusetts. From an early age, she was an avid reader and particularly enjoyed works by authors such as Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott. Apart from reading, Van Oosten learned various craft skills such as candle-making and basket weaving.
Van Oosten earned her degree from Berklee College of Music in 2001, but her passions did not end with education. She went on to work in magazine publishing and earned the Editor-in-Chief position at a Boston-based magazine, Poye. Throughout her academic and professional life, Van Oosten preserved her creative spirit by writing fiction and music.
In 2014, her collection of short stories, ‘Something Blue’ was published to great success. This compilation of stories follows a diverse set of characters, each with distinct voices and opinions, who are working to make sense of the world around them. Van Oosten also touches on themes of family, gender, and identity to create a vivid and emotionally stirring read.
Since then, Van Oosten has published three more works, including two novels, ‘The Sharpest Blade’ and ‘It's in the Trees, the Forest, and the Sea’, as well as a memoir, ‘Do Not Go Gentle’. Spanning various genres, Van Oosten’s works demonstrate her wide-ranging ability.
In ‘The Sharpest Blade’ readers are taken on a journey through the high-stakes world of fencing as protagonist, Matilda, tries to make it to the top of the international fencing circuit. Added to this story of physical feats is the underlying narrative of Matilda’s search for her missing father and the resolution of her complex relationship with her mother. Seductive and intense, this work is full of clever twists and gripping character development.
Van Oosten’s work ‘It's in the Trees, the Forest, and the Sea’, follows
Finn and Leland, childhood friends, who are reunited in adulthood to repair the bonds that were shaken in early life. The novel delves into the nature of grief and will prove to be particularly relevant to many in the current climate. Together, Finn and Leland must confront the complexities of their intertwining pasts in order to bridge the gaps of their lost relationships.
Her latest work, the moving memoir ‘Do Not Go Gentle’ is a tribute to Van Oosten’s father and the lessons of life he passed on to her. Throughout, Van Oosten undertakes a quest of remembrance, confronting emotions of love and loss that rawly linger in the air.
Van Oosten’s works offer readers a keen look into the inner workings of the heart and soul. From life’s celebrations and comedies, she captures it all, uncovering life’s richness for us all to share. Her stories are honest, full of promise and show that even in the most difficult of times, love and hope can bring us closer together. This display of insight and perception makes her an author not to be missed.
