Born: 1955 (New Haven, Connecticut)
Biography:
Michiko Kakutani, born on January 9, 1955, in New Haven, Connecticut, is an American writer and retired literary critic. She is best known for her work as a book reviewer for The New York Times from 1983 to 2017. During her tenure, Kakutani’s critical insights and analytical prowess earned her widespread acclaim and established her as one of the most influential voices in the literary world.
Kakutani’s parents, Shizuo Kakutani and Keiko Uchida, played significant roles in shaping her identity. Her father, a renowned Yale mathematician originally from Japan, instilled in her a love for academia and analytical thinking. Meanwhile, her mother, a second-generation Japanese-American raised in Berkeley, California, contributed to Kakutani’s appreciation for her cultural heritage.
Growing up, Kakutani was exposed to the world of literature through her aunt, Yoshiko Uchida, a celebrated author of children’s books. This early exposure sparked her passion for storytelling and literary analysis, laying the foundation for her future career.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Yale University in 1976, Kakutani honed her writing skills under the mentorship of esteemed author and Yale writing professor, John Hersey. Following her time at Yale, she embarked on a career in journalism, beginning as a reporter for The Washington Post and later working for Time magazine.
In 1979, Kakutani joined The New York Times, where she would make a profound impact on the literary community as a book critic. Throughout her career, she gained a reputation for her incisive and sometimes biting reviews. Her critiques carried significant weight, and she became known as a tastemaker whose opinion could make or break a book’s success.
Kakutani’s reviews were not without controversy. Some authors, such as Jonathan Franzen and Nassim Nicholas Taleb, reacted strongly to her negative assessments. In fact, her name became synonymous with scathing reviews, with publishers even using the term getting Kakutani’ed to describe a particularly harsh critique. Despite these confrontations, Kakutani’s fearlessness and uncompromising standards solidified her reputation as a respected and influential literary critic.
Notably, Kakutani had a unique approach to reviewing books. She often wrote reviews in the voices of characters from movies or books, adding a creative twist to her analyses. This added depth and nuance to her work, combining thoughtful critique with artistic flair.
In 1998, Kakutani’s exceptional contributions to literary criticism were recognized when she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. This prestigious honor showcased her profound impact on the literary landscape and solidified her status as one of the most influential figures in the field.
Kakutani’s wisdom and expertise extended far beyond the pages of The New York Times. Her writing and insights touched millions of readers and inspired countless aspiring writers and critics. Her dedication to the craft of literature and her commitment to fostering robust discussions about books continue to influence and shape the literary world today.
Awards:
– Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1998)