RIP Toni Morrison: Nobel Laureate And Literary Visionary Dead At 88
RIP.
instagram For avid readers, books have a way of changing your perspective and possibly changing your life in the process. But this year alone, we’ve lost quite a few authors and writers, including Mary Oliver, W.S. Merwin, Vonda McIntyre, and Judith Krantz.
Unfortunately, we’ve also lost one of the most prized and talented authors of our time. On August 5th, author Toni Morrison passed away.
Morrison was known for her novels, including Song of Solomon, Sula, Paradise, God Help the Child, Tar Baby, The Bluest Eye, and, most notably, Beloved. Beloved was turned into a movie in 1998, starring Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and Thandie Newton.
Over the years, she received multiple awards: American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters Award, Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Nobel Prize for Literature, National Humanities Medal, Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and many more.
In addition, she received Honorary Doctor and Doctorates from Harvard, Oxford, Rutgers, and the University of Geneva. She also taught literature and creative writing at Howard University, Princeton, and Yale.
To say her death is a major loss is an understatement. Because not only was her writing extremely powerful, but she was also known for her authentic representation of the black experience in America.
But how did Toni Morrison die? At 88 years old, she passed away from complications of pneumonia.
Her publisher, Knopf, released a statement that said:
“We are profoundly sad to report that Toni Morrison has died at the age of eighty-eight. Morrison’s novels were celebrated and embraced by booksellers, critics, educators, readers, and librarians. Her work also ignited controversy, notably in school districts that tried to ban her books. Few American writers won more awards for their books and writing.”
The Morrison family also issued their own statement, remembering her character and talent:
“It is with profound sadness we share that, following a short illness, our adored mother and grandmother, Toni Morrison, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends. She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt who reveled in being with her family and friends.
The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing. Although her passing represents a tremendous loss, we are grateful she had a long, well-lived life.
While we would like to thank everyone who knew and loved her, personally or through her work, for their support at this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we mourn this loss to our family. We will share information in the near future about how we will celebrate Toni’s incredible life.”
RIP to a legend.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.