Harry Crews - Definition and Overview

Harry Crews (b. June 6, 1935) is an American novelist, short story writer and essayist. He was born in Bacon County, Georgia in 1935 and served in the Marines during the Korean War. He attended the University of Florida on the GI Bill and after graduating began his career writing. His novels are usually set in the south and feature a bizarre cast of characters. They are laced with dark humor, sex, violence and a genuine, if quirky, warmth for humanity. His novels include: A Feast of Snakes, Body, Scar Lover, Karate Is A Thing of the Spirit, All We Need of Hell, The Mulching of America, and Celebration. He published a memoir in 1978 titled .

Kim Gordon (of Sonic Youth), Lydia Lunch and Sadie Mae named their band 'Harry Crews after him. They released one album, Naked in Garden Hill, in 1989.