Tommy Orange

Tommy Orange is a Cheyenne-Arapaho author whose inventive and sweeping debut novel, There There, was one of the most acclaimed books of 2018. His writing examines the lives of contemporary Native Americans in a way that has not been depicted before. Drawing on astute observations and imaginative storytelling, Orange has emerged as one of the most valuable and important authors of his generation.

Tommy Orange was born in Oakland, California, in 1982. He is a registered member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe of Oklahoma, his ancestry tracing back some 12 to 15 generations. As a child, Orange was fascinated by his Grandmother’s stories about the men and women of their tribe, and was particularly inspired by his deep connection to Native American history.

In 2003, Orange moved to college in San Francisco, where he studied Creative Writing and Native American Studies. Feeling conflicted about his identity and cultural history, he struggled to fit in with his peers and struggled with depression and alcoholism. Despite these personal challenges, Tommy managed to graduate with honors.

In 2014, he moved to Los Angeles and began working on a novel that would eventually become his debut, There There. The book follows a diverse group of Native Americans living in urban Oakland, California. Using multiple viewpoints, each chapter documents a character’s search for their place in the world. All of the characters are propelled and caught up in the same story. Orange's explorations of Native American identity, spirituality, and urban life, chronicles how it feels to inhabit a body that carries and transmits so much trauma.

The novel was met with critical acclaim, claiming awards and nominations from the New York Times and the National Book Critics Circle. His writing style is unique and vibrant. Heis able to combine elements of diverse cultures, ask important questions, and offer solutions. His writing is vivid, witty, and brings readers to an almost infinite level of understanding about the life experiences of others.

Orange's second book, Mercy Mountain, is due to be released in 2021. He has also written for many publications, including the Los Angeles Review of Books and Granta, and appeared on numerous podcasts.

Tommy Orange's literary career is significant and influential. His writing is honest and brings together the experiences of contemporary Native Americans, with an incredible level of detail and range of emotions. His fiction is intensely moving, and exciting new voice in the writing world. His works rings powerfully and true for readers of all ages and backgrounds.