Youth is not a question of years: one is young or old from birth.
Cynthia Ozick – Foreign Bodies
Innate Youth
I
Cynthia Ozick is a distinguished American author known for her profound exploration of Jewish-American identity, literature, and the complexities of human experience. Born in New York City in 1928, Ozick studied at New York University and later pursued graduate studies at Ohio State University. Her writing spans novels, essays, and short stories, often weaving together themes of cultural heritage, memory, and the moral responsibilities of individuals. Ozick gained critical acclaim for her novel “Foreign Bodies” (2010), a reimagining of Henry James’s “The Ambassadors.” Set in the 1950s, the novel follows the journey of Bea Nightingale, an unmarried schoolteacher who travels to Europe to retrieve her estranged nephew. Through Bea’s journey and encounters with her nephew’s unconventional life, Ozick explores themes of familial duty, identity, and the clash between Old World values and modernity. Known for her lyrical prose and intellectual depth, Ozick’s work continues to resonate with readers for its exploration of timeless themes and the intricacies of human relationships.