Cynthia Bond facts for kids
Cynthia Bond (born in 1961) is an American author and actress. Her first book, Ruby, was a huge success. It stayed on The New York Times Bestseller list for six weeks! The book was also chosen for Oprah's Book Club 2.0, which made it even more popular.
Cynthia Bond was born in Hempstead, Texas. Today, she lives in Los Angeles, California. She earned a scholarship to Northwestern University to study journalism. Later, she studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Cynthia Bond has also been recognized as a PEN Rosenthal Fellow for Emerging Writers. She helps young people by teaching writing at the Paradigm Malibu Adolescent Treatment Center.
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Cynthia Bond's Work
Cynthia Bond started The Blackbird Collective in 2011. This group helps writers by giving them a supportive place to work. Their goal is to encourage writers to share important stories. They also use creativity to help others. For over 15 years, Bond taught writing to young people in need at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Writing Ruby
Cynthia Bond was inspired to write Ruby by her own family's history. She spent ten years working on the book. At first, the book was very long, over 900 pages! Her mother and agent suggested she split it into three books. Bond eventually agreed that a trilogy (a series of three books) would be the best way to tell the story.
What People Thought of Ruby
Ruby was seen as a "strong first novel" by Kirkus Reviews. Booklist described it as a "stark, unflinching portrait of dark deeds and dark psyches." Library Journal noted that Ruby is a "gritty story" but also has "mystical elements." People Magazine said Ruby was not an "easy read." However, they felt it had an important and "compelling" message.
Writer Ann Friedman compared Bond's writing to famous authors. She said Ruby uses "magical realism," which means it blends real life with magical parts. Friedman also praised Bond's "luminous prose," meaning her writing is very clear and beautiful.
Ruby was also nominated for a big award in 2016. It was shortlisted for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction.
About Her Life
Cynthia Bond lives in Los Angeles with her daughter.
Fun Facts
Cynthia Bond acted in the 1990 horror movie Def by Temptation. She played the main bad guy in the film. She is also a cousin of Julian Bond, a well-known civil rights activist.
Books by Cynthia Bond
- Ruby. New York: Hogarth, 2014. ISBN: 978-0804188241
