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Dwight Garner

Dwight Garner (born January 8, 1965) is an American journalist and book critic best known for his role as a staff critic at The New York Times, where he reviews fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and aspects of the publishing world. Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, Garner spent part of his childhood in Charleston before his family relocated to Naples, Florida, when he was eight years old, shaping his early exposure to both Appalachian and Southern influences. He earned a in English from in 1988, where he edited the campus newspaper and developed an interest in . Following graduation, Garner served as arts editor for a weekly newspaper in , and contributed to the launch of the online publication as one of its founding books editors in the mid-1990s. In 1998, he joined as an editor for the Book Review, spending a decade in that position before transitioning to full-time criticism in 2008, a role in which he has become noted for his incisive, witty assessments that often weave in cultural and culinary observations. Garner has authored two books that reflect his passions for and : Garner's Quotations: A Modern Miscellany (2020), a curated collection of memorable quotes from the past century organized thematically, and The Upstairs Delicatessen: On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, and Eating While Reading (2023), a personal essay collection exploring the intersections of reading and . He lives in New York with his wife, the writer and cookbook author Cree LeFavour.

Early life

Childhood and upbringing

Dwight Garner was born on January 8, 1965, in . He spent much of his early childhood in , where his paternal grandfather worked as a , reflecting the working-class roots of his father's family, which also included gunsmiths and hunters. Growing up in during his early years, Garner experienced the region's harsh winters, which later prompted his family's relocation. When Garner was about eight years old, his moved to , as his father pursued law school in before the southward shift to escape the cold climate. In , the settled into a modest household on what Garner describes as the "Cool Whip side" of 1970s culture, characterized by processed foods like with and from topped with grated . His mother was not an enthusiastic cook, relying on convenience items such as Kraft products and , while his father favored outdoor pursuits like , filling the freezer with . This created some tension, as Garner's indoor inclinations clashed with his father's preference for activities like . The Gulf Coast environment influenced his daily routine, with Garner often bicycling home under the hot sun, arriving "sizzled crisp and pink with sweat." Garner's early exposure to books was limited in his family home, which owned few volumes beyond the and , yet this scarcity fueled his voracious independent reading habits. As a "soft kid, inclined toward embonpoint," he spent afternoons under a devouring books, newspapers, magazines, and paperbacks on the living room floor, often pairing reading with snacks like mayonnaise-and-cheese sandwiches or . This ritual, beginning in and continuing in , sparked his passion for literature; he progressed from casual reads like Robert B. Parker's novels and sports columns to more ambitious works, finding solace and escape in stories amid his regional surroundings.

Education

Dwight Garner graduated from in 1988 with a major in English. During his undergraduate years, Garner immersed himself in writing and criticism, serving as arts editor of the college newspaper and contributing book and theater reviews to a , alternative weekly, for which he earned $35 per piece. He also reviewed books for the campus paper, often receiving complimentary copies from a local where he spent much of his free time, and worked as a stringer for . His early reviews, though initially derivative, drew inspiration from prominent critics like and . These activities honed his critical skills and built a portfolio that included pieces for national magazines. Garner's English major and hands-on engagement with literary criticism at Middlebury provided the intellectual groundwork for his career as a book reviewer, steering him toward amid his broader interests in arts journalism. This foundation enabled early professional opportunities, such as writing book criticism for while still a student.

Career

Early journalism

Garner began his journalism career during his time at , where he studied English, a focus that honed his critical skills and facilitated his entry into arts editing and reviewing. While still a student, he worked as a reporter for the Addison Independent, a local newspaper in , gaining hands-on experience in reporting and writing that shaped his early professional voice. After graduating in , Garner advanced to the role of arts editor at the Vermont Times, an alternative weekly based in . In this position, he oversaw arts coverage, edited contributions on , theater, and , and wrote extensively on local and national topics, contributing to the paper's brief but influential run before it merged into other publications. Throughout the early 1990s, Garner freelanced as a and contributing editor for alternative weeklies, including the Boston Phoenix, where he produced reviews and essays on , , and music. He also served as a for the Hungry Mind Review, a , penning insightful pieces such as his 1994 review of Valerie Martin's novel The Great Divorce, which explored themes of identity and adaptation in . In 1994, Garner relocated to and joined as an associate editor under editor-in-chief , where he handled arts and culture sections by editing features, commissioning pieces, and writing concise book reviews to bridge fashion with literary discourse.

Digital media and

In 1995, Dwight Garner became the founding books editor of , one of the earliest online magazines dedicated to in-depth , where he served until 1998. During this period, he played a pivotal role in developing the site's books section, curating content that emphasized thoughtful and cultural analysis at a time when digital publishing was nascent and largely experimental. His efforts helped transform into a vital hub for arts and literary discourse, attracting readers seeking substantive online alternatives to traditional print media. Garner's editorial oversight focused on commissioning and editing book reviews, essays, and features that explored , often blending personal insight with broader cultural commentary. He contributed directly through his own writing, including reviews of works like Jennifer Belle's and Peter Canning's , which showcased Salon's commitment to diverse voices in and . These pieces exemplified the platform's innovative approach to online content, prioritizing accessibility and immediacy over the constraints of print schedules. Among the specific initiatives Garner oversaw was the annual "Books of the Year" compilation, co-curated with colleagues like Laura Miller, which highlighted standout titles and reflected on the literary landscape of the mid-1990s. He also launched and authored The Garner Report, a monthly column that spotlighted promising new releases, such as those in October 1998, influencing early users' reading choices and demonstrating how formats could foster ongoing literary engagement. Through these projects, Garner's work at advanced the model of web-based cultural publishing, emphasizing quality and community interaction in an era before widespread .

New York Times tenure

Garner joined The New York Times in 1998 as a journalist and writer, initially serving as a senior editor at The New York Times Book Review. In this role, which he held until 2008, he oversaw editorial content and contributed to shaping the publication's coverage of literature, drawing on his prior experience in digital media to introduce fresh perspectives on book journalism. In 2008, Garner transitioned to the position of staff book critic for the newspaper, a role he has maintained since, reviewing works across , , and . His reviews are noted for their concise, witty style that balances sharp with emotional insight, often emphasizing cultural context over plot summary; for instance, in his 2011 assessment of G.B. Trudeau's Forty Years of 'Doonesbury', he praised the comic's "satisfying messiness" and "exquisite draftsmanship" while exploring its satirical depth. Another representative example is his 2017 review of Joyce Johnson's Minor Characters, where he highlighted its illumination of the Beat generation's overlooked female voices, calling it an "undersung" work that reshapes literary history. In 2017, Garner launched the biweekly column "American Beauties" in , focusing on overlooked American books from the past 75 years to champion neglected literary gems. The series features essays on titles like Harry Crews's A Childhood and E.B. Sledge's , underscoring Garner's commitment to rediscovering mid-20th-century American writing. Garner has also contributed program notes for Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series over several years, providing contextual essays on performers and the Great American Songbook repertoire. He served on the board of the National Book Critics Circle, contributing to the organization's advocacy for literary criticism.

Awards and recognition

Garner was a finalist for the National Magazine Award in the Columns and Commentary category in 2017, recognized for his contributions to Esquire magazine, including the pieces “Second Only to Sex” (September 2016), “Drinking Games” (November 2016), and “Name Dropping” (December 2016). Garner has been widely praised as one of the most beloved critics of his , noted for his entertaining, insightful, and incisive reviews that blend with sharp analysis. In a 2011 profile, described him as a "highly gifted" critic whose daily New York Times reviews revitalized the role of book criticism by offering emotional depth and precise cultural commentary. Through his tenure at The New York Times, Garner's reviews and columns, such as the biweekly “American Beauties” series highlighting overlooked from the past 75 years, have significantly shaped literary discourse by championing underappreciated works and influencing public engagement with books. His service on the board of the National Book Critics Circle further amplified his impact, contributing to the organization's efforts to promote excellence in criticism and support the literary community.

Personal life

Family

Dwight Garner is married to Cree LeFavour, a and cookbook author known for works such as Poulet: More Than 50 Remarkable Recipes That Exalt the Honest Chicken. The couple has two children, Penn and Harriet LeFavour. In his 2023 The Upstairs : On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, and Eating While Reading, Garner explores how his family life, particularly LeFavour's upbringing amid her family's restaurant ventures in Aspen and , has influenced his appreciation for culinary traditions and their intersection with literature. This personal dynamic informs his reflections on the pleasures of shared meals and reading, shaping the thematic core of the book. The family resides in .

Residence and interests

Dwight Garner resides in Hamilton Heights, a neighborhood in , , where he has lived for many years in a spacious that stretches the length of his home office to the kitchen, requiring over 30 strides to traverse. He shared this residence with his wife, Cree LeFavour, and their dog, Mae (2011–2025). Beyond his professional pursuits, Garner maintains a strong personal interest in music, particularly the , reflecting a deeper passion for the genre's cultural resonance. He also enjoys travel, having spent six months living in New Orleans in 2021 to immerse himself in its culinary and cultural scene. Garner's non-literary hobbies include collecting coffee mugs from independent bookstores, magazines, and newspapers, a habit that underscores his appreciation for literary in everyday life. He plays the Spite and Malice daily with his wife, a longstanding ritual that provides a simple, competitive diversion. Additionally, Garner frequents movie theaters weekly, often pairing a dinner with a as a cherished routine.

Published works

Books

Dwight Garner has authored or edited three notable books that reflect his deep engagement with literature, culture, and personal experience. These works span collections of historical advertisements, curated quotations, and a memoir intertwining reading and culinary passions, drawing from his decades as a book critic. His first book, Read Me: A Century of Classic American Book Advertisements, published in 2009 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, compiles over 300 vintage advertisements for books from the twentieth century. Garner, then a book critic for The New York Times, curated these ads to reveal the evolving strategies of literary marketing, from hyperbolic endorsements to quirky illustrations that captured the era's cultural zeitgeist. The collection highlights themes of literary appreciation and the hidden creativity in publishing history, offering a visual panorama of how books were promoted amid changing American tastes. The book received praise for its nostalgic and insightful glimpse into book culture, with reviewers noting its ability to uncover "startling and strange" promotions that humanize literary icons. For instance, for works by and are juxtaposed to show the blend of and humor in early twentieth-century . Critics appreciated Garner's editorial eye, which transforms ephemeral into a "secret history" of without overt commentary. In 2020, Garner published Garner's Quotations: A Modern Miscellany with , a 304-page volume released on November 10 that assembles quotes he has collected over four decades of reading. Organized thematically into categories such as , , and , the book eschews traditional alphabetical arrangements in favor of provocative juxtapositions that emphasize irreverence and wit. Themes center on celebrating "direct and exacting voices" in , rejecting , and underscoring humor as a vital literary tool, with selections spanning authors from to . Reception highlighted the book's lively curation, with The Wall Street Journal calling it a "literary manifesto" and Kirkus Reviews describing it as a "diverting trove of witty remarks" that avoids the stuffiness of commonplace books. Garner includes personal notes on his selections, such as pairing quotes on money from and to illustrate class satire, revealing his critic's penchant for sharp cultural observation. Garner's most recent work, The Upstairs Delicatessen: On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, and Eating While Reading, appeared in 2023 from as a 256-page released on October 24. Structured around daily rituals—breakfast, , , drinking, shopping, and an interlude on swimming and napping—it explores the intertwined joys of and food through personal anecdotes and literary allusions. Key themes include for simple pleasures, the sensory overlap of reading and dining, and reflections on family life, such as his childhood affinity for mayonnaise-drenched cheese sandwiches and his marriage to a professional . The memoir earned acclaim as a "Best Book of 2023" from outlets including Amazon, Milk Street, and Powell's Books, with The New Yorker lauding its "wit and eccentricity" in weaving quotes from authors like M.F.K. Fisher with Garner's own stories. Excerpts feature vivid vignettes, such as his delight in reading while consuming oysters, underscoring how books and meals have shaped his worldview. Reviewers noted its comic tone and accessibility, positioning it as a personal classic for food and literature enthusiasts.

Columns and essays

Garner wrote the biweekly "American Beauties" column for from 2017 to 2018, focusing on underappreciated American books and authors from the past 75 years, such as Harry Crews's A Childhood: The Biography of a Place (1986), which he praised for its vivid evocation of Depression-era rural life. In these pieces, he unearthed works that captured overlooked aspects of , blending literary with cultural insight to revive neglected voices. Starting in 2016, Garner contributed a monthly column to Esquire magazine, often titled "Unconventional Wisdom," exploring themes in culture, literature, and everyday life with personal anecdotes, such as his reflections on quitting smoking in "I Miss Smoking" or the regrets of backgammon in Monte Carlo. These essays, which earned a National Magazine Award nomination in the Columns and Commentary category in 2017 for pieces like "Second Only to Sex" and "Drinking Games," delve into broader cultural observations while maintaining a light, introspective touch; contributions have continued on an occasional basis. Beyond these regular columns, Garner has penned essays for outlets including and contributed to literary organizations; he served as a former board member of the National Book Critics Circle, supporting critical discourse in the field. His essay style, characterized by sharp wit, brevity, and a conversational tone that favors short sentences and humor over excess adjectives, has evolved to mirror the personal, humorous reflections in his memoir The Upstairs Delicatessen. This approach allows him to distill complex ideas into engaging, accessible prose, as seen in his adaptation of COVID-era writings on chef for .

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