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Hugh Nissenson

ヒュー・ニッセンソン

Hugh Nissenson

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1933-03-10 （New York City）
Died
2013-12-13 （Manhattan, New York City） age 80
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
New York City → Israel (stay at kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Novelist, Journalist
Active Years
1955-2013
Nominations
National Book Award (1985) - The Tree of Life, James Tiptree, Jr. Award (2001) - The Song of the Earth, Langum Prizes (2011) - The Pilgrim

Education

Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Country: United States
Attended a private school in the Bronx
Swarthmore College
Degree: 学士
Period: 1951–1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: United States
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1955

Awards

Edward Lewis Wallant Award
1965
Work: A Pile of Stones
Organization: Edward Lewis Wallant Award committee
Result: 受賞
Gaylactic Spectrum Awards
2002
Work: The Song of the Earth
Organization: Gaylactic Spectrum Awards committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Pile of Stones

1965 Fiction / Short stories

An early collection of stories exploring Jewish themes and human relationships.

Jewish identityFamilyIdentity

Notes from the Frontier

1968 Reportage / Non-fiction

Reportage based on his time on a kibbutz and observations in Israel.

IsraelImmigrant experienceCommunity

In the Reign of Peace

1972 Novel

A novel depicting interpersonal relationships against political and social themes.

SocietyInterpersonal relationships

My Own Ground

1976 Novel

His first full-length novel, published in 1976.

Self-awarenessBelonging

The Tree of Life

1985 Novel

A novel centered on Jewish tradition and mysticism, dealing with family and history. Nominated for the National Book Award.

JudaismMysticismFamily history

The Elephant and My Jewish Problem

1988 Novel

A work that examines Jewish identity with humor and philosophical reflection.

IdentityHumorReligion and self

The Song of the Earth

2001 Novel

A narrative traversing nature and history that also touches on gender and humanity. Won the 2002 Gaylactic Spectrum Award and was nominated for the Tiptree Award in 2001.

NatureHistoryGender

The Days of Awe

2007 Novel

A novel exploring sin and atonement through religious and ritual themes.

RitualAtonementReligion

The Pilgrim

2011 Novel

A late-career work depicting a personal and spiritual journey. Nominated for the Langum Prizes.

PilgrimageSpiritual journeyFaith

Bibliography

  • A Pile of Stones
  • Notes from the Frontier
  • In the Reign of Peace
  • My Own Ground
  • The Tree of Life
  • The Elephant and My Jewish Problem
  • The Song of the Earth
  • The Days of Awe
  • The Pilgrim

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Narrative that explores Jewish traditionIncorporation of religious and mystical elementsReportage-like attention to detail
Recurring Motifs
Religion and faithIsrael and Jewish experienceMemory of the HolocaustPersonal and spiritual quests

Legacy

Nissenson is regarded as a writer who centered his work on his Jewish background, mysticism, and Israeli experiences. He received and was nominated for several awards and contributed to Jewish-American literature from the late 20th to early 21st century.

Trivia

  • Graduated from Swarthmore College in 1955.
  • Worked briefly as a copy boy at The New York Times.
  • Spent time in Israel in the 1950s and 1960s and reported on the Adolf Eichmann trial.
  • Won the Edward Lewis Wallant Award in 1965 for A Pile of Stones.
  • Won the 2002 Gaylactic Spectrum Award for The Song of the Earth.