Susan Orlean: A Career of Literary Exploration and Narrative Nonfiction
Susan Orlean is a distinguished writer known for her ability to transform niche subjects into compelling human narratives. From the obsessive world of orchid collecting to the civic importance of public libraries, Orlean has built a career spanning several decades, contributing to some of the most prestigious publications in the United States.
Key Facts
- Staff Writer: Long-time contributor and staff writer for The New Yorker since 1992.
- Major Works: Author of The Orchid Thief and The Library Book.
- Film Influence: Her writing served as the basis for the films Adaptation and Blue Crush.
- Editorial Roles: Editor of Best American Essays 2005 and Best American Travel Writing 2007.
- Television: Writer for the HBO series How To with John Wilson (Season 2).
Early Career and Journalistic Roots
Orlean's professional journey began with contributions to high-profile magazines including Rolling Stone, Esquire, Vogue, Outside, and Spy. In 1982, she joined the staff of the Boston Phoenix and later became a regular contributor to the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine.
Her transition to New York City coincided with the publication of her first book, Saturday Night, in 1990. Having started as a contributor to The New Yorker in 1987, she officially became a staff writer for the magazine in 1992.
From Page to Screen: The Orchid Thief and Beyond
One of Orlean's most influential works is The Orchid Thief, a detailed profile of John Laroche, a Florida orchid grower, breeder, and collector. The book's unique perspective caught the attention of Hollywood, forming the basis for the script written by Charlie Kaufman for the Spike Jonze film Adaptation.
In the film, Orlean was reimagined as a fictional character portrayed by Meryl Streep. This cinematic version deviated significantly from reality, depicting Orlean as Laroche's lover and a partner in a drug production operation involving psychoactive substances derived from orchids.
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Orlean's influence on cinema extended further in 1998 when her article "Life's Swell," published in Women's Outside, provided the foundation for the film Blue Crush. The original piece focused on a group of young female surfers in Maui.
Diverse Literary Contributions
Throughout her career, Orlean has explored various genres and subjects. In 1999, writing under her married name, Susan Sistrom, she co-authored The Skinny: What Every Skinny Woman Knows About Dieting (And Won't Tell You!). She also compiled her magazine stories into two collections: The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup: My Encounters with Extraordinary People and My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who's Been Everywhere.
Her versatility is further evidenced by her contribution to the Ohio chapter of State By State (2008) and her 2011 biographical history of the famous dog actor, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend.
| Category | Title/Publication | Year/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Books | Saturday Night | 1990 |
| Books | The Orchid Thief | Profile of John Laroche |
| Books | The Library Book | 2018 |
| Books | Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend | 2011 |
| Editing | Best American Essays / Travel Writing | 2005 / 2007 |
| Television | How To with John Wilson | 2021 (Season 2) |
The Library Book and Later Work
The inspiration for The Library Book came from a personal moment when Orlean accompanied her son to the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library for a school assignment. This experience reignited her childhood passion for libraries.
The resulting book, released in October 2018, was the product of three years of research and two years of writing. It uses the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library as a lens to examine the societal role of public libraries and the impact of their loss. To maintain high standards of accuracy, Orlean employed a professional fact-checker to eliminate both substantial and minor errors. She also collaborated on the book's television adaptation.
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Continuing her expansion into different media, Orlean joined the writing staff of the HBO series How To with John Wilson for its second season in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did The Orchid Thief influence the movie Adaptation?
The book provided the original subject matter, but the film turned Susan Orlean into a fictional character who becomes romantically involved with John Laroche and participates in a drug operation.
What inspired the writing of The Library Book?
Orlean was inspired after visiting the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library with her son for a school project, which led her to research the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library fire.
Under what other name has Susan Orlean published?
She co-wrote the book The Skinny under her married name, Susan Sistrom.
Which major magazines has Susan Orlean written for?
She has written for The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Esquire, Vogue, Outside, Spy, and the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine.
Has Susan Orlean worked in television?
Yes, she collaborated on the television adaptation of The Library Book and served as a writer for the second season of HBO's How To with John Wilson.