Susan Orlean Books In Order

Publication Order of Susan Orlean Gardening Books

Publication Order of Susan Orlean Animal Books

Publication Order of History Books

Publication Order of Library Science Books

Publication Order of Susan Orlean Biographies Books

Publication Order of Children's Books

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Susan Orlean

A highly regarded American writer of modern fiction, the novelist Susan Orlean has made a strong name for herself throughout the literary industry. Knowing and understanding her craft on an extremely fundamental level, she really gets a feel for her subject matter both inside and out. This has allowed her to write some of the most compelling fiction and non-fiction to date, combining the two to thrilling effect. Clearly having a voice and something to say, she is articulate and erudite in equal measure, keeping the reader enthralled and engaged throughout. Whether she’s writing for magazines, or publishing her own books, she really manages to create something that is entirely her own, standing apart from the rest.

Making waves throughout the industry, she has become a highly prominent voice, speaking at numerous events on her craft as well. This has lead to her becoming a much sought after spokesperson, with many looking to her as a figure of authority on her particular field of expertise. A focused presence within all her work, she really manages to define what it is that she’s trying to say for the reader in a clear and accessible manner. Understanding character and the art of storytelling too, she definitely knows how to make her work engaging and entertaining for her many readers. Adapted for the screen, in a loose sense, she also saw her novel ‘The Orchid Thief’ transformed into the 2001 film ‘Adaptation’, something which has also expanded her profile as an author.

Early and Personal Life

Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, America, Susan Orlean would, by her very own volition, experience an uneventful and happy childhood. During this time though, she would come to harness a passion for the written word, immersing herself in all things literature, allowing her to find her voice and her style. Taking a lot of inspiration from the world around her, she would develop herself as a writer, discovering what it really was that she wanted to write about. Using her learning over the years, she would subsequently put it all back into her work, allowing it to evolve and mature into something unique and different. Mixing biography with her own creative flair, she would learn to combine the two, thus discovering her own idiosyncratic style in the process.

Studying for four years at the University of Michigan, she would go on to explore her craft further, giving herself the tools that she needed to continue. Later moving to the West Coast, before ending up in Oregon, Portland, she would gain a job as a writer, which is where her love of the craft would really start. After this she would move on to Boston, taking up another writing position, this time at the Phoenix and the Globe, which would further progress her writing career. Following this she would write for The New Yorker in 1987 after moving to the city that year, thus really taking her writing career to whole new level entirely. Continuing on as a staff writer there from 1992, she has continued to live and write in New York, which she will carry on for quite some time to come.

Writing Career

First writing the book ‘Saturday Night’ in 1990, Susan Orlean would make a name for herself chronicling previously unseen aspects of modern life. Later she would write ‘The Orchid Thief’ in 1998, which would help really establish her name as an essential and important writer with something to say. This was reflected within Charlie Kaufman’s 2001 film ‘Adaptation’, which loosely adapted the work, although it was more of a separate creative entity in its own right. Still, though, she had definitely made it within the industry, gaining critical acclaim for both the critics and the general public alike. Constantly writing for highly prestigious outlets such as ‘The New Yorker’ as well, she would continue to keep establishing her name throughout the press too.

Taking factual events and combining them with her own creative skills as an author, she speaks and writes with a high degree of authenticity. Her biographical work is also something to be admired too, as she really manages to create work that allows her to write from her own honest perspective. This has created a sense of intimacy with the reader that is quite unlike any other, giving her readers a real feeling of knowing her on a more personal level. Winning various awards too, she has received numerous nominations and prizes for her work too, thus expanding her global reach further. With an abundance of wit and intelligence she doesn’t appear to be stopping any time soon, as there’s plenty more titles expected on the near horizon.

The Orchid Thief

Initially brought out by Ballantine Books in 1998, this was first released on the 4th of January to much acclaim. Whilst it wasn’t part of any series, it would help further cement Orlean’s clearly factual style, clearly building upon what came before. Loosely made into the 2001 film ‘Adaptation’, this is definitely a book with something interesting to say, written in a direct and engaging manner.

Looking to clone what’s apparently an endangered flower, Susan Orlean becomes obsessed with the Polyrrhiza lindenii orchid. Setting out on a journey with John Laroche, she heads into the heart of and American subculture selling flowers within Florida. This sees her moving throughout the swamps there, as their passion for fighting the forces of justice to do what they see is right. What will they find? Can they clone the flower? Just who is the orchid thief?

The Library Book

Showing a clear sense of development for the author, this was originally released in 2018 through the Simon Schuster publishing label. Released on the 16th of October, it would also work as a stand-alone title, taking the writing career of Orlean in an entirely new and exciting direction. Taking an in-depth look at a real world event, she really manages to draw out the drama, whilst saying something important in the process as well.

Examining the fire that took place in the Los Angeles Public Library on the 29th of April in 1986, she aims to get to the heart of the subject. Destroying 400,000 books, as well as damaging 700,000 more, it would consume large amounts of the library, as the fire would reach over 2000 degrees. Looking back at the event itself, Orlean hopes to deduce whether or not the fire was an accident, or whether it was started on purpose. Why did that fire really start? Who would do such a thing? What is the importance of the library book?