5 Most Reclusive Authors

Before the age of the internet (and for some of them, during) some authors have maintained to keep their private lives private. Not all take the Salman Rushdie approach of dating supermodels while dealing with issues with a fatwa, and just prefer to keep their lives out of the public eye. Especially once they’ve become more recognized, and their works have received acclaim and high sales.

This doesn’t always do the job of keeping people away, however, as the media blackout can become as notorious as the writers themselves. Here are five authors who wanted to stay away from the spotlight, and because of their exclusivity, it’s one of the things we know them for.

 

1. Thomas Pynchon

Pynchon is something of a too good to be true story. He was taught by Nabokov, rumored to be JD Salinger and only had a few photographs available. If it wasn’t for his appearances on The Simpsons, some would doubt that this postmodern master of works such as V and Gravity’s Rainbow was even a real person, save for the occasional release of his books.  

Pynchon is interesting because of his appearance in the largest cartoon around, and that recently, with the film adaptation of Inherent Vice, a new generation of fans are becoming familiar with the acclaimed author. Whether we’re treated to another voice appearance or a new novel, we will eagerly wait.

 

2. JD Salinger

The author of The Catcher In The Rye went into hiding for many years. It wasn’t particularly a secret where he lived, just that he made no appearances for the media and wasn’t willing to meet the loyal fans who turned up at his gate.

The documentary Salinger revealed masses about the author, though this wasn’t particularly difficult because much of the later years of his life was known. Since his death, fans have been waiting for new releases, in the hope that the years he spent in his house were spent writing. Though, as of 2016, no news has been released.

 

3. Harper Lee

Harper Lee, who recently passed away, was known for her classic To Kill A Mockingbird and recently, the controversial follow-up, Go Set A Watchman. The author tried to follow up her novel for many years, but ultimately was never content with the progress that she made.

Lee was rarely spotted in interviews, and other than the occasional essay or public appearance, didn’t interact with the press. She dealt with it in a kinder way than the others on this list. It never felt like a rejection of those around her, just an acceptance of the unique person that she was.

 

4. Cormac McCarthy

The author known for many great works such as The Road, Blood Meridian, and No Country For Old Men is known to prefer to associate himself with scientists rather than other writers. Although it is not necessarily a secret that McCarthy frequents Santa Fe institute, it is known that he rarely engages with the press. That’s why it was a big deal when he agreed to appear live on television for Oprah’s Book Club.

With a long wait since his last novel and as he grows older, fans hope that McCarthy won’t suddenly disappear, and that his next turn in the public eye will be to release another acclaimed work.

 

5. Emily Dickinson

Though perhaps being one of the earliest writers in this list, Dickinson was known for keeping strangers at an arm’s length, or more so, doing most of her personal interactions from a window and handing things through buckets on ropes. After her death, Dickinson became known for being one of the greatest American poets.

Similarly, after her death, she had most of her correspondence burned. Who knows what gems existed in those letters, and what happened behind those walls, in the mind of Dickinson. Nonetheless, we are still benefiting from the glimpses that we have, and her work will outlive any mystery she put forth.

That’s our list of reclusive authors. If you think we missed anyone who was hiding away, do let us know in the comment section. Though, to our credit, that might just mean they’re so reclusive we don’t know about them…