Walter Mosley
Early Life
Walter Ellis Mosley was born on January 12, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. His father, Leroy Mosley, was an African American from Louisiana, and his mother, Ella (née Slatkin), was Jewish and a native of New York. Mosley was an only child and his parents tried to shield him from the racial tensions prevalent in the United States during his childhood. He attended Hamilton High School in Los Angeles and later graduated from Johnson State College in Vermont.
Career
Mosley began his career working in a series of blue-collar jobs before deciding to become a writer. He attended City College of New York's writing program, where he earned a Master's degree in Creative Writing. His first published book, "Devil in a Blue Dress", was released in 1990 and introduced the world to Easy Rawlins, a black private detective in post-World War II Los Angeles. The novel was a commercial and critical success, and was later adapted into a film starring Denzel Washington.
Mosley continued to write novels featuring Easy Rawlins, including "A Red Death" (1991), "White Butterfly" (1992), and "Black Betty" (1994). These novels, collectively referred to as the Easy Rawlins series, are notable for their realistic depiction of racial tensions in post-war Los Angeles and for their complex, morally ambiguous protagonist.
In addition to the Easy Rawlins series, Mosley has written several other novels, including "RL's Dream" (1995), "Blue Light" (1998), and "The Man in My Basement" (2004). He has also written a number of science fiction novels, such as "Futureland" (2001) and "The Wave" (2005). His work spans a variety of genres, including mystery, science fiction, and political thriller.
Mosley has also written several works of non-fiction, including "Workin' on the Chain Gang" (2000), a critique of capitalism, and "What Next: An African American Initiative Toward World Peace" (2003), a proposal for a new political movement. He has also written a book on writing, "This Year You Write Your Novel" (2007), and a collection of essays, "Life Out of Context" (2006).
Style and Themes
Mosley's writing is characterized by its rich, evocative language and its vivid depiction of Los Angeles. His novels often deal with themes of race, class, and social justice, and are notable for their complex, morally ambiguous characters. His work has been praised for its realistic portrayal of African American life and for its exploration of the complexities of racial identity.
Awards and Recognition
Over the course of his career, Mosley has received numerous awards and honors. He won the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel for "Devil in a Blue Dress" in 1990 and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for "RL's Dream" in 1996. In 2002, he was awarded the PEN America Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, he was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Mosley currently resides in New York City. He has been married twice, first to Joy Kellman, with whom he has a daughter, and later to Lori L. Tharps. He is an avid reader and cites authors such as Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Gabriel García Márquez as influences on his work.
See Also
African American Literature Detective Fiction Science Fiction
