James Franklin

James Franklin is an American author and novelist whose fiction has been translated into more than a dozen languages. He is best known for his book, The Widow's Kiss, which won the Giller Prize for Fiction in 2002.

Franklin grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and was always interested in writing. He attended Tulane University and graduated with a degree in English. After college, he spent some time in Mexico, where he worked as a bartender, and wrote stories whenever he could. In 1990, he moved to Austin, Texas and fell in love with the place. This inspired him to write a novel about a woman living in Austin and her search for love, hope, and redemption. This novel was his first book, titled The Widow's Kiss, and it was released in 1997.

The Widow's Kiss tells the story of Cynthia Raines, a young widow living in Austin. After losing her husband to a tragic accident, she struggles with her grief and tries to start her life over. She finds solace in the simple pleasures of the city, such as bike rides and swimming in Barton Springs. As she begins to open up and make friends, Cynthia gradually re-establishes her connection with the world outside.

The novel follows the lives of Cynthia and the people she meets along the way. Each of them has their own life story, hopes, and dreams that fill the book with a cast of characters that are hard to forget. Although Cynthia is at the center of the story, none of the other characters are disposable or one-dimensional. Instead, they each have their own pain, joy, sadness, and love that bring believable life to the narrative.

The Widow’s Kiss was widely praised for its beautiful prose, vivid and detailed descriptions, and for the emotional depth of the story. It was a finalist for the Pen/Faulkner and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and went on to win the Giller Prize in 2002.

Since the publication of The Widow’s Kiss, James Franklin has written three more novels, all of which have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful. His second book, Napalm Dreams, tells another story set in Austin and follows a different group of characters. In 2010, he released The Twenty-Seventh Letter of the Alphabet, a fantastic literary mystery set in the Deep South. His latest novel, Rotten Jack, was released in 2017 and takes readers into a surreal and darkly humorous world.

Throughout all of his work, James Franklin has shaped a unique vision and distinctive style that is his own. His books are filled with suspense, emotion, and unforgettable characters that inhabit the pages with striking force. Every book by Franklin is an unforgettable journey and a testament to his undeniable talent as a storyteller.