Ten facts to contemplate upon reaching 30 years of age
Those of us of a, uh, mature age comfort ourselves in the knowledge that a lot of writers bloomed late in life. But what about those who made their mark early? Here are some accomplishments of writers before they turned 30.
- John Updike had seen two novels published, two short story collections, and a book of verse.
- Francois Sagan had five novels published and two plays produced.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald had three novels in print, including “The Great Gatsby.”
- Stephen Crane had ensured himself a permanent place in Americn literature and had been dead a year.
- The bulk of Wordsworth’s best-known poetry had been published.
- Shelley and Keats were dead. But they were late starters compared to:
- Norman Mailer and Truman Capote, whose highly acclaimed first novels appeared before the authors were 25.
- Rimbaud, who had written all his known poetry before he was 20.
- Edgar Allan Poe (pictured above), whose first volume of poetry was published when he was 18.
- And Thomas Mann, who had already completed “Buddenbrooks” and two brilliant long short stories, “Tonio Kroger” and “Tristan,” while still in his mid-twenties.