Mary Lawson is a renowned Canadian novelist, born in southwestern Ontario in 1946. She grew up in Blackwell, a small town located between Sarnia and Brights Grove. Lawson is a distant relative of L.M. Montgomery, the famous author of Anne of Green Gables, which may have influenced her own writing career.
After completing her psychology degree at McGill University in 1968, Lawson moved to England, where she has lived ever since. She is married and has two grown-up sons. Currently, she resides in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey. Despite living in England for over five decades, Lawson's writing remains deeply rooted in Northern Ontario, where all three of her novels are set.
Lawson's writing career began in 2002 with the publication of her first novel, "Crow Lake," which became an international bestseller. Her second novel, "The Other Side of the Bridge," was published in 2006, and her third novel, "ROADS END," was published in 2013. All three of her novels have been published by Knopf Canada.
"Crow Lake" won the Giller Prize in 2002 and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in the same year. "The Other Side of the Bridge" was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2006. Lawson's novels have been translated into over 20 languages and have sold over a million copies worldwide.
Lawson's writing is known for its vivid descriptions of the Canadian wilderness and its exploration of the human condition. Her novels often center around family relationships and the challenges that people face in rural communities. Lawson's writing style is characterized by her use of simple, straightforward language and her ability to create complex and relatable characters.
In addition to her work as a novelist, Lawson has also written short stories, which have been published in various literary magazines. She has been praised for her ability to create compelling narratives in a short format. Lawson's writing has been compared to that of Alice Munro, one of Canada's most celebrated authors.
Despite her success as a writer, Lawson remains modest and down-to-earth. In interviews, she has spoken about the importance of staying grounded and focusing on the craft of writing. She continues to write and publish novels, and her work remains popular with readers around the world.