Let's make this birthday one to remember.

75 years old (Born on December 08, 1949)

Happy Birthday, Mary Gordon! May your celebration be filled with more excitement than a novel's plot twist, less drama than family memoirs (we're looking at you, Circling My Mother), and enough literary accolades to keep critics busy for decades. Of course, you've already given us masterpieces like The Company of Women—exploring life's complexities brilliantly—or deeply introspective works such as The Shadow Man; we wouldn't dare ask for more.

This year may have brought fresh personal triumphs or enriching educational moments in the classroom—but rest assured: no protagonist yet crafted can overshadow your continued impact on readers everywhere. Cheers!