Mark Helprin Books In Order

Publication Order of Swan Lake Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

The American writer Mark Helprin has been writing for a number of years now, with an impressive backlog of work behind him. With no clear genre or school of literary thought that he adheres to, he’s highly versatile in his style of writing, something which sets him apart from the rest. Working as a philosopher and a conservative commentator as well, he is known as a skilled and highly vocal spokesperson for his ideas and his craft.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1947 on the 28th of June, Mark Helprin was born and raised within the vicinity of Manhattan in New York City. With his father Morris Helprin working in the film industry, and his mother the Broadway actress Eleanor Lynn, he grew up surrounded by film and the theater. All of this helped to provide him with a deeper understanding of his medium, giving him a visual and engaging style to work with.

Educated at Scarborough School after his parents moved into Ossining in New York, he soon graduated in 1965. Going on to study at the highly prestigious Harvard University he also gained degrees from Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1969. During this time he worked on his writing, harnessing his skills as an author to be, something which was also backed up by his post-graduate studies at Princeton University.

As a Jewish American, he became an Israeli citizen during the late seventies, during which time he also went on to serve in the Israeli infantry. Stationed in the Israeli Air Force as well, he spent a considerable amount of time serving in their armed services there. Later on, he returned to America, whereby he became a writer full-time, as well as a political commentator and author.

Marrying his wife Lisa (Kennedy) Helprin, they went on to have two daughters, Olivia and Alexandra. Still married to this day he continues to write, as well as run the 56-acre farm on his land at his home in Earlysville, Virginia in America. With a lot more to come from him as an author, there are no signs of him stopping anytime soon, as his career grows from strength-to-strength.

Writing Career

Starting out with his first novel in 1977, he made his debut with the title ‘Refiner’s Fire: The Life and Adventures of Marshall Pearl, a Foundling’. Quickly making his presence known, he went on to become regarded as one of the foremost voices working within his field. Establishing many of his core premises and ideas in his initial novel, though, he would work at developing his style and tone.

With one major series under his name, he is well known for ‘A Kingdom Far and Clear: The Swan Lake Trilogy’ collection. Working alongside Chris Van Allsburg as the book’s illustrator for the duration of the franchise, it proved to be a highly popular series. Set around Tchaikovsky’s famous classic ballet, it really managed to capture the imagination and essence of the stage production.

Mark Helprin is not without his fair share of awards and critical acclaim either, as he’s gained recognition from both the critics and the general public alike. Being made a Guggenheim Fellow he has also been awarded the National Jewish Book Award, as well as being a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute. These are just some of the achievements that he’s received over the course of his long and illustrious legacy that he’s created over the years.

Writing for a number of different publications such as The New York Times, where he’s provided opinion pieces, he is always one to attract attention. With his keen insight, he is always one to offer his opinions, whatever the reaction, whilst also defending his ideas in a robust manner. Offering views on everything from global politics to the state of modern publishing and the internet, he has never been one to shy away from controversy.

Continuing to write to this current day, he remains a prolific writer and presence on the contemporary literary scene. Set apart from other writers by his refusal to conform to any one set genre, he has marked himself as once of the most versatile voices working in the industry to date. There’s a lot more planned on the horizon for him as an author, with more books set to be released on into the foreseeable future.

Winter’s Tale

Originally published in 1983 and brought out through the Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich publishing label, this was a stand-alone title from Mark Helprin. With his writing career already well underway by this point, he had already made a name for himself as an author. It was later adapted for the cinema by the director Akiva Goldsman in 2014 and has come to be one of the authors more popular titles.

An Irish orphan and master-mechanic, Peter Lake now burgles the homes of rich people to make ends meet. Then one night on the Upper West Side of New York City he comes across a young dying girl and falls for her. Driven by his love for her, he tries with all his might to push back time and help Beverly Penn out of this predicament. Will he get his wish? Could they ever be together? What will happen in this winter’s tale?

In Sunlight and In Shadow

Initially published in 2012 on the first of January, this was one of the later efforts from Mark Helprin as a writer. Showing him in the later stages of his writing career, it clearly displays a writer who is still at the peak of his talents. Maintaining his keen insight and inspiration that readers have come to appreciate, it’s ideal for both newcomers and avid fans alike.

Set in 1946, this particular period piece follows Harry Copeland as he returns to New York from North Africa where he was serving in the 82nd Airborne. Returning to his less than satisfactory life in the family leather business, he then once again meets Catherine Thomas Hale, the woman he has been missing for so many years. The problem is, she is now married to another man, a much older man at that, and one who has been heavily manipulating her ever since she was a child. Will Harry and Catherine ever get to be an item? Can he ever escape his seemingly boring existence? What will become of them as they find themselves in sunlight and in shadow?

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