Charles Baxter is an American author born in 1947 in Minneapolis. Baxter is known for blending a quiet, sometimes absurdist wit with a profound sympathy for his far-from-perfect characters; he has also attracted attention for the consummate brilliance of his prose. He is likewise celebrated as an engaging and even deeply moving performer of his own work in public readings. His writing has been compared to that of Anton Chekhov, William Trevor, Alice Munro, and John Cheever. 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Nickname: City of Lakes Motto: En Avant Location in Hennepin County and the state of Minnesota. ... Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (Russian: , Anton Pavlovič Čehov) (29 January 1860 [O.S. 17 January] – 15 July 1904 [O.S. 2 July]) was a physician, major Russian short story writer and playwright. ... William Trevor (born 24 May 1928) CBE, is a short story writer, novelist and playwright. ... Alice Ann Munro, née Laidlaw (born 10 July 1931) is an award-winning Canadian short story writer who is widely considered an important writer in that form. ... John Cheever (May 27, 1912–June 18, 1982) was an American novelist and short story writer, sometimes called the Chekhov of the suburbs. ...

Baxter graduated from Macalester College in Saint Paul and in 1974 received a Ph.D. in English from the University at Buffalo with a thesis on Djuna Barnes, Malcolm Lowry, and Nathanael West. He began his teaching career at Wayne State University in Detroit. He then moved to the University of Michigan, where for many years he directed the Creative Writing MFA program. He is renowned for his generosity towards and patient encouragement of his students, many of whom have gone on to forge successful writing careers; they include Michael Byers, Jardine Libaire, Porter Shreve, John Fulton, Marc Nesbitt and Elwood Reid. He currently teaches at the University of Minnesota. Location in Ramsey County and the state of Minnesota. ... University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (also known as the State University of New York at Buffalo or SUNY-Buffalo and abbreviated as UB) is located in Buffalo and Amherst, New York. ... Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan, in the citys Cultural Center. ... Nickname: Motor City, Motown Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area    - City 370. ... UM also has campuses in Dearborn and Flint. ... Michael Byers is an American writer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Jardine Libaire is an American writer based in Brooklyn, New York. ... Porter Shreve is an American author. ... John Fulton may refer to: John P. Fulton, a special effects supervisor and cinematographer. ... Elwood Reid is an American novelist and short-story writer. ... Washington Avenue Bridge at night The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, almost always abbreviated U of M, and sometimes referred to as The U by locals, is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system. ...

Novels

• First Light (1987). An eminent astrophysicist and her brother, a small-town Buick salesman, discover how they grew so far apart and the bonds of love that still keep them together.
• Shadow Play (1993). As his wife does gymnastics and magic tricks, his crazy mother invents her own vocabulary, and his aunt writes her own version of the Bible, Five Oaks Assistant City Manager Wyatt Palmer tries to live a normal life and nearly succeeds, but...
• The Feast of Love (2000), a sumptuously reimagined Midsummer Night's Dream, comic, poignant, and sexy by turns. Nominated for the National Book Award. A motion-picture version of the book has just completed filming and is under post-production.
• Saul and Patsy (2003). A teacher's marriage and identity are threatened by a dangerously obsessed teenage boy at his school.

1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The National Book Award is one of the most important literary prizes in the United States, presented annually for the best books by living U.S. citizens published in the U.S. The awards have been presented since 1950 in at least one category, and are presently awarded in each... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Short Story and Essay Collections

• Harmony of the World (1984). Winner of the Associated Writing Programs Award.
• Through The Safety Net (1985)
• Gryphon (1985)
• A Relative Stranger (1990)
• Believers (1997)
• Burning Down The House: Essays on Fiction (1997)
• Gryphon

1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Poetry Collections

• Imaginary Paintings (1989)
• The South Dakota Guidebook (1974)
• Chameleon (1970)

1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

Edited Works

• A William Maxwell Portrait: Memories and Appreciations (2004)
• Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the Writing Life (2001)
• Best New American Voices 2001 (2001)
• The Business of Memory (1999)

2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Old Farts by the Sometimes-United Nations. ...

Honors and Awards

• National Book Award (Finalist) for The Feast of Love, 2000
• The Award in Literature, American Academy of Arts and Letters, 1997
• Ohio University Spring Literary Festival (Honoree), 1995
• The Cohen Award for the best essay published in Ploughshares, 1994
• The Daniel A. Pollack-Harvard Review award to Shadow Play, 1994
• The Gettysburg Review nonfiction prose award for "Fiction and the Inner Life of Objects," 1994
• Michigan Author of the Year Award, 1993
• Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Foundation Fellowship, 1992-95
• Lawrence Foundation Award, 1991
• Arts Foundation of Michigan Award, 1991
• Guggenheim Fellowship, 1985-86
• Michigan Council for the Arts Grant, 1984
• National Endowment for the Arts Grant, 1983
• Lawrence Foundation Award, 1982

External links

• Charles Baxter official website
• Interview with the author at Powells.com.
• Author Interview at failbetter.com