Let's make this birthday one to remember.

81 years old (Born on November 26, 1943)

Happy Birthday, Marilynne Robinson! May your day be as beautifully crafted and quietly profound as the pages of "Gilead." You've given us novels that linger in our hearts longer than leftover birthday cake—though admittedly less sugary. Your Pulitzer Prize win back in 2005 was proof positive: you don't just write stories; you create literary magic.

From exploring life's quiet mysteries to capturing humanity's deepest truths with grace and humor, you've made readers laugh softly into their tea cups while pondering existence itself. Here's hoping this year brings more inspiration—and fewer existential crises—for one of America's most cherished storytellers!