Hanya Yanagihara

Hanya Yanagihara is an American author known for her critically acclaimed novels. Born in 1974 in Los Angeles to Korean immigrant parents, Yanagihara graduated from Smith College and New York University. She worked as an editor for Condé Nast Traveler before transitioning to writing fiction. Her debut novel, "The People in the Trees," (2013) explores themes of trauma, colonialism, and the ethics of scientific research. It received critical praise and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Yanagihara's second novel, "A Little Life" (2015), became a bestseller and garnered widespread acclaim. The deeply emotional story of four college friends and their intertwined lives earned her the Kirkus Prize and the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Yanagihara has been recognized for her exceptional storytelling ability and her fearless exploration of dark and complex themes. Her works have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.