Susan Swan

Susan Swan: Award-Winning Canadian Novelist

Susan Swan is a Canadian novelist, best known for writing captivating works like The Wives of Bath, The Western Light, and The Biggest Modern Woman of the World. Considering her contribution to literature, she has become one of the most distinguished and renowned novelists of contemporary times.

Early Life and Education

Susan Swan was born on June 28, 1945, in Midland, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Jane Cowan and Churchill Swan who raised her along with her brother John. She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy. Later, she joined the University of Toronto's Graduate Centre for the Study of Drama, from where she earned her Master's degree.

Career and Achievements

After completing her education, Susan Swan began her career as a journalist in Toronto, where she worked for a while but eventually left her job to create performance art. Swan started her writing career by publishing "The Last of the Golden Girls" in the Canadian Forum in 1976. After that, she published many other short stories, essays, and novels. However, her novel The Wives of Bath, published in 1993, brought her international recognition. The novel went on to become a bestseller and had an impact on international feminism.

In 1994, she published the Commonwealth Writers' Prize-nominated work What Casanova Told Me. Susan Swan has won various awards throughout her career, including the Marian Engel Award, awarded by the Writers' Trust of Canada in 1986. She has also been a finalist for the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction.

Personality and Motivation

Susan Swan is known for her bold, unflinching writing that tackles contemporary social issues. Her novels primarily deal with gender-based issues, which she discusses with an exceptional level of passion and commitment. She describes her writing as "sexual gothic" or "gender gothic" in terms of tone and content - a nod to the dark, mysterious, and passionate narratives she creates.

Before Becoming Famous

Like many writers, Susan Swan's path to success was not easy. She faced many challenges before she became a renowned novelist. Initially, she struggled to find opportunities that could help her lay the foundation of a successful career. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a journalist and created performance art to make a living.

Family Life

Susan Swan married Barry Haywood, with whom she has a daughter named Samantha Haywood. Although their marriage ended in divorce, she has tended to keep a low profile about her personal life.

Linked to Other People in the Industry

Susan Swan has had both friends and rivals in the industry. She has often discussed issues in interviews with fellow writers like Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and Dionne Brand. She has also been a mentor to many young writers, and her work has inspired many internationally acclaimed authors. Her novel The Wives of Bath was adapted into a movie named "Lost and Delirious," starring Piper Perabo. The movie, loosely based on the novel, explores issues of social hierarchies, gender-bending, and same-sex relationships.