William Gaddis was born in New York City on December 29, 1922, to parents who were involved in politics and business. His father, William Thomas Gaddis, worked in politics and on Wall Street, while his mother, Edith Gaddis, rose from being a secretary to the president of the New York Steam Corporation and later became its chief purchasing agent.
Gaddis is known for his five novels, which are characterized by their complex narrative structures, extensive use of dialogue, and exploration of themes such as forgery, pretension, and the darker aspects of capitalism. His first novel, "The Recognitions" (1955), is a 956-page saga that received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its ambition and complexity, while others found it difficult to follow. Despite the challenges it posed to readers, "The Recognitions" is now considered a groundbreaking work of fiction.
Gaddis's second novel, "JR" (1975), won the National Book Award and is driven by dialogue, with little in the way of traditional narrative structure. The chaos of the unceasing deluge of talk in "JR" proved challenging for some critics, who declared the text "unreadable." However, Gaddis's use of dialogue as a means of exploring the human condition is now widely recognized as a hallmark of his style.
Gaddis's subsequent novels, including "Carpenter's Gothic" (1985), "A Frolic of His Own" (1994), and the novella "Agapē Agape" (2002), further developed his unique narrative style and explored themes such as litigation, art, and the human condition. Gaddis died at his home in East Hampton, New York, on December 16, 1998, after a battle with prostate cancer. His work continues to be celebrated for its complexity, intelligence, and innovation.