Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (7 May 1927 – 3 April 2013) was a British and American novelist and screenwriter.
Life and Career
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala was born on May 7, 1927, in Cologne, Germany, into a Jewish family. Due to the rise of the Nazis, her family fled Germany in 1939, eventually settling in Britain.
She studied at Queen Mary University of London, where she earned a degree in English literature. Her interest in literature and writing began to flourish during her university years.
Jhabvala’s literary career began with the publication of her first novel, “To Whom She Will” (1955). She continued to write novels and short stories, exploring themes of cultural displacement, identity, and the clash between Eastern and Western values.
In the early 1960s, Jhabvala began a successful collaboration with producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory. Together, they formed the renowned trio responsible for many critically acclaimed films. Their collaboration resulted in numerous adaptations of Jhabvala’s works, including “The Householder” (1963) and “Heat and Dust” (1983).
Jhabvala’s debut novel was adapted into a film in collaboration with Merchant and Ivory. This marked the beginning of their cinematic partnership. This novel, exploring themes of colonialism and cultural identity, won the Booker Prize for Fiction. The Merchant-Ivory film adaptation brought further acclaim.
Jhabvala adapted Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel into a screenplay, earning her an Academy Award. The film, directed by James Ivory, received critical acclaim.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala passed away on April 3, 2013, in New York City, USA, at the age of 85.
Award and Legacy
Jhabvala won the prestigious Booker Prize for her novel “Heat and Dust,” which explores the complexities of colonialism and cultural identity in India.
Jhabvala received three Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay. The films that earned her these accolades were “A Room with a View” (1985), “Howards End” (1992), and “The Remains of the Day” (1993).
Jhabvala received multiple BAFTA Awards for her work on films like “A Room with a View,” “Howards End,” and “The Remains of the Day.”
Jhabvala’s novels and short stories continue to be celebrated for their exploration of cultural displacement, identity, and the clash between Eastern and Western values. “Heat and Dust” remains a notable work in postcolonial literature.
Her collaboration with Ismail Merchant and James Ivory resulted in a series of critically acclaimed films. The Merchant-Ivory productions, often based on Jhabvala’s works, are celebrated for their nuanced storytelling and exploration of complex themes.
Jhabvala’s skill in adapting literature to film was exceptional, as evidenced by her numerous awards for screenwriting. Her adaptations of works by authors like E.M. Forster and Kazuo Ishiguro brought these stories to a wider audience and showcased her ability to translate literary depth to the cinematic medium.
Jhabvala’s life as a Jewish-German expatriate who settled in England and later moved to India provided her with a unique perspective that allowed her to bridge cultural gaps. Her works often explored the complexities of living between different worlds.
The conferment of honorary degrees from esteemed institutions such as the University of East Anglia and the American University of Paris reflects the acknowledgment of her significant contributions to literature and film.