Who is Mona Simpson? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Mona Jandali

Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Richard Appel (ex-husband)

father: Abdulfattah Jandali

mother: Joanne Schieble Simpson

siblings: Steve Jobs (biological brother)

Novelists American Women

U.S. State: Wisconsin

Ancestry: German American, Swiss American, Syrian American

More Facts

education: University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University

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1

What is Mona Simpson known for?

Mona Simpson is best known as an acclaimed American novelist and essayist.
2

What are some of Mona Simpson's notable works?

Some of Mona Simpson's notable works include "Anywhere But Here," "The Lost Father," and "My Hollywood."
3

What inspired Mona Simpson to become a writer?

Mona Simpson was inspired to become a writer by her love for storytelling and her experiences growing up in a creative and intellectual environment.
4

How does Mona Simpson's writing style resonate with readers?

Mona Simpson's writing style is praised for its emotional depth, vivid characterizations, and exploration of complex family relationships, which resonates with many readers.
5

What themes does Mona Simpson often explore in her writing?

Mona Simpson's writing often explores themes such as identity, family dynamics, immigration, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

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Career

Mona Simpson served as an editor for the ‘Paris Review’ when she was a student at Columbia University. Her first novel was ‘Anywhere but Here’, released in 1986. This Whiting Award winning novel was a huge success and was even adapted as a movie later on. The sequel of the novel, titled ‘The Lost Father,’ came out in 1992. After this, Simpson published her third novel ‘A Regular Guy’. This novel depicted the strained relationship between a father and his daughter who is born out of wedlock. Then in 2000, the author’s fourth novel titled ‘Off Keck Road’ got published. It told the story of three ladies in the Midwest.

In 2001, she started teaching creative writing at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was also appointed as a professor at the Bard College around this time. A few years later, Simpson authored the novel ‘My Hollywood’ that was published in 2010. This novel explored the perspectives of two women, Lola and Claire, and the complex relationship issues faced by them. After this, she released her novel titled ‘Casebook’ in 2014. The talented writer has also written short stores including ‘Victory Mills’, ‘Ramadan’, ‘The Driving Child’ and ‘Holiday,’ as well as an essay titled ‘A Sister’s Eulogy for Steve Jobs’.

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Personal Life

Mona Simpson was born as Mona Jandali on June 14, 1957 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA, to parents Abdulfattah Jandali and Joanne Schieble Simpson. Her mother had given birth to a boy before getting married to her father. This boy, who had been placed for adoption, later grew up to be Apple Inc. CEO and co-founder, Steve Jobs. Talking about Simpson’s education, she studied at Beverly Hills High School and then attended University of California and Columbia University. In 1993, she married TV writer and producer Richard Appel. The couple had two kids, Gabriel and Grace, before getting divorced.

Facts About Mona Simpson

Mona Simpson, born Mona Jandali, is the biological sister of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

She is an accomplished author, known for her novels such as "Anywhere But Here" and "Casebook."

Mona Simpson is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

She has won several prestigious awards for her writing, including a Whiting Writers' Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

In addition to her writing and teaching career, Mona Simpson is also a prominent advocate for literacy and education.

Mona Simpson Biography

You wanted to know

What is Mona Simpson known for?

What are some of Mona Simpson's notable works?

What inspired Mona Simpson to become a writer?

How does Mona Simpson's writing style resonate with readers?

What themes does Mona Simpson often explore in her writing?