'Affliction' author Russell Banks dies

He was among the most popular American authors in France.

His progressivism, his anti-conformism had made him one of the intellectual figures of the American East Coast.

Author Russell Banks has died aged 82 from cancer, his publisher announced on Sunday.

Born into a modest family in the northeast of the United States, he had attended a writing workshop at a very young age which had given him his footing in the stirrup, while he was earning his living as a plumber.

A few years and many novels later, it was he who hosted these creative writing workshops, becoming one of the greatest specialists.

Novelist, short story writer and poet, Russell Banks loved to tell the hardships of the working class through characters who struggle with poverty, drug addiction, class and race issues.

The author won the John-Dos-Passos prize in 1995 and many other awards.

Committed intellectual

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, he has written collections of poetry and short stories, as well as numerous novels, including

or

.

The latter had been adapted to the cinema by Paul Schrader, with Nick Nolte in the main role.

A committed intellectual, Russell Banks had taken a stand against American intervention in Iraq and had pledged to help writers who were threatened or in exile.

Among the many personalities to have paid tribute to him is Joyce Carol Oates.

very sad news that a great American writer, Russell Banks, beloved friend of so many, passed away peacefully last night in his home in upstate NY.

I loved Russell & loved his tremendous talent & magnanimous heart.

"Cloudsplitter"--his masterpiece.

but all his work is exceptional

— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) January 8, 2023

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The novelist, learning the “very sad news of the death of a great American writer”, hailed the author of

.

“I loved Russell and I loved his immense talent and magnanimous heart.

was his masterpiece but all of his work is exceptional,” she said.

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