Ransom

Jay McInerney

Jay McInerney writes a wine column for the Wall Street Journal and is a regular contributor to the Guardian, the New York Times Book Review and Corriere della Sera. He has written seven novels, including Bright Lights, Big City, cited by Time as one of the nine generation-defining novels of the twentieth century, two short story collections and two non-fiction books on wine, one of which was the acclaimed A Hedonist in the Cellar. In 2006, he received the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation. He lives in Manhattan and Bridgehampton, New York.

What genres does Jay McInerney write in?

He writes fiction—novels and short stories—and non-fiction about wine. He also contributes wine columns and essays to major newspapers and magazines.

Which Jay McInerney book should I start with?

Start with Bright Lights, Big City, his best known novel and cited by Time as one of the nine generation-defining novels of the twentieth century. For non-fiction readers, A Hedonist in the Cellar or Bacchus and Me are good entry points into his wine writing.

What are some notable works by Jay McInerney?

He has written seven novels, two short story collections, and two non-fiction books on wine. Notable titles include Bright Lights, Big City; A Hedonist in the Cellar; Bacchus and Me; Story of My Life; Model Behaviour; Ransom; The Last of the Savages; and The Last Bachelor.

Do Jay McInerney's books form a series or have a recommended reading order?

His books are largely standalone rather than a continuous series, so there is no strict reading order. Reading his most famous novel, Bright Lights, Big City, first is a common recommendation.

Has Jay McInerney received any awards or recognition?

Yes. In 2006 he received the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation, and Bright Lights, Big City has been recognized by Time as a generation-defining novel.