Sherman Alexie

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American author and filmmaker

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Native name
Born	Sherman Joseph Alexie Jr. Birth date -1st March 1966 Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Died
Resting place
Pen name
Nickname
Occupation	Author, poet, filmmaker
Language
Nationality	American

Sherman Joseph Alexie Jr. (born October 7, 1966) is an American author, poet, and filmmaker. Much of his writing draws on his experiences as a Native American with ancestry from several tribes, including the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene tribes. His works often explore themes of identity, family, and the struggles of contemporary Native American life.

Early life and education

Sherman Alexie was born on October 7, 1966, in Spokane, Washington. He grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. Alexie was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that required brain surgery when he was an infant. Despite the challenges posed by his condition, he excelled academically and eventually left the reservation to attend Reardan High School, where he was one of the few Native American students.

After high school, Alexie attended Gonzaga University in Spokane on a scholarship but transferred to Washington State University in Pullman. It was at Washington State University that he discovered his passion for writing and began to pursue a career as an author.

Career

Literature

Sherman Alexie's first collection of short stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, was published in 1993. The book received critical acclaim and established Alexie as a significant voice in Native American literature. His first novel, Reservation Blues, was published in 1995 and won the American Book Award.

In 2007, Alexie published The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a semi-autobiographical novel for young adults. The book won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature and has been widely praised for its honest portrayal of the challenges faced by Native American youth.

Film

Alexie has also made significant contributions to film. He wrote the screenplay for Smoke Signals, a film based on his short story "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. The film, directed by Chris Eyre, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1998 and won several awards.

Poetry

In addition to his work in fiction and film, Alexie is an accomplished poet. His collections of poetry include The Business of Fancydancing and One Stick Song. His poetry often explores themes of identity, loss, and the complexities of Native American life.

Personal life

Sherman Alexie currently resides in Seattle, Washington. He has been open about his struggles with alcoholism and has spoken publicly about his journey to sobriety. In recent years, Alexie has faced allegations of sexual harassment, which he has addressed in various public statements.

Awards and honors

• National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
• PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for War Dances
• American Book Award for Reservation Blues

Related pages

• Native American literature
• Spokane people
• Coeur d'Alene people
• Smoke Signals (film)
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven