Ben Lerner
Ben Lerner is an American author, poet, and critic. Born on February 4, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas, he has received widespread critical acclaim for his novels and poetry. Lerner's notable works include the novels 'Leaving the Atocha Station' and '10:04', as well as his poetry collections 'The Lichtenberg Figures', 'Angle of Yaw', and 'Mean Free Path'. His writing often explores themes of language, identity, and art. Lerner has been a finalist for the National Book Award and has received fellowships from the Fulbright, Guggenheim, and MacArthur Foundations.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. Leaving the Atocha Station
The novel follows a young American poet on a prestigious fellowship in Madrid, Spain, where he grapples with his work, relationships, and sense of self. He struggles with his own perceptions of authenticity, both in his poetry and his personal life, while navigating the cultural and language barriers of a foreign country. The protagonist's experiences are marked by a constant tension between reality and artifice, as he questions the value and impact of his own art in the face of world events.
-
2. The Topeka School
"The Topeka School" by Ben Lerner is a novel that explores the lives of a family in the Midwest during the 1990s. The story centers around Adam, a high school senior who is a talented debater and his parents, both psychologists. The book delves into the complexities of family dynamics, masculinity, and the power of language. It also touches on the rise of toxic masculinity and the political climate of the time. Through multiple perspectives and timelines, "The Topeka School" offers a unique and thought-provoking commentary on American culture and society.
-
3. 10:04
In this introspective novel, the protagonist, a writer living in New York City, grapples with the concept of time and the potential of art amidst personal and global uncertainties. As he navigates a series of transformative experiences, including a potential medical diagnosis, the prospect of fatherhood through artificial insemination with a close friend, and the impact of Hurricane Sandy, he reflects on the intersections between his life, his work, and the socio-political climate. The narrative weaves between reality and fiction, exploring the fluidity of relationships, the anxiety of living in a world on the brink of climate catastrophe, and the role of literature in shaping human experience.
