Lauren Groff, born in 1978, is an American author recognized for her novels and short story collections. She grew up in Cooperstown, New York, and pursued her education at Amherst College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in fiction. Groff's literary career began with her debut novel, "The Monsters of Templeton" (2008), which achieved bestseller status and garnered critical acclaim. She has since published several other novels, including "Arcadia" (2012), "Fates and Furies" (2015), "Matrix" (2021), and "The Vaster Wilds" (2023), as well as short story collections like "Delicate Edible Birds" (2009), "Florida" (2018), and "Brawler" (2026).

Her work has received numerous accolades, including being named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in 2024 and recognition on various "Best Books" lists. "Fates and Furies" was a particular success, chosen as President Barack Obama's favorite book of 2015 and nominated for prestigious awards. Groff's writing often explores themes of history, community, and the complexities of human relationships, with "Matrix" delving into historical fiction and "The Vaster Wilds" focusing on survival in a colonial setting. She was also honored as one of Granta's Best of Young American Novelists and received a Guggenheim Fellowship. In addition to her writing, Groff opened a bookstore called The Lynx in 2024 and served as guest editor for "The Best American Short Stories 2024".

Lauren Groff's novels and short stories frequently engage with historical settings and the intricate dynamics of human experience. Her debut, "The Monsters of Templeton," is a contemporary narrative interwoven with historical voices from its titular fictional town, a stand-in for Cooperstown, New York, and also drawing inspiration from James Fenimore Cooper's "The Pioneers." "Arcadia" delves into the early days of a 1960s commune, exploring the genesis of a community. "Fates and Furies" offers a dual perspective on a long marriage, examining its complexities through the eyes of both husband and wife. Later works like "Matrix" venture into historical fiction, depicting the challenges faced by nuns in a medieval abbey, while "The Vaster Wilds" recounts a servant's escape from a colonial settlement during a period of hardship. Groff's storytelling has been described as a "heroic pushback against the way we live now," challenging societal pressures and artificial environments.

Groff's literary achievements have garnered significant recognition throughout her career. Her first novel, "The Monsters of Templeton," was a New York Times bestseller and received positive early reviews, notably from Stephen King. Her subsequent works, including "Arcadia" and "Fates and Furies," have also appeared on bestseller lists and been celebrated by major publications. "Fates and Furies" was a notable success, selected as President Barack Obama's favorite book of 2015 and receiving nominations for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 2017, Granta recognized her as one of the Best of Young American Novelists, and she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction in 2018. Her short story collection "Florida" won The Story Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award. In 2024, she was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people and served as the guest editor for "The Best American Short Stories 2024."

“a heroic pushback against the way we live now, against waste, against the artificial environments in which we find ourselves maintained by corporations, but equally against the pressures on women to be flawless, effortlessly excellent mothers, wives, sisters, lovers, friends, within this dire state of affairs.”