Matthew Klam

American writer

Matthew Klam (born 1964) is an American fiction writer and magazine journalist.

Matthew Klam graduated from the University of New Hampshire, where he studied Philosophy, and he later received an MA from Hollins College. In 1999 The New Yorker named him one of the 25 best fiction writers under 40.

In 2000 he published his first book, a collection of short stories entitled Sam the Cat and Other Stories. Publishers Weekly wrote of the work that, "Throughout the collection, Klam demonstrates his mastery of the fine art of irony, exposing the nerve endings of his complex, often tormented, sometimes funny, characters, while allowing the reader to make his or her own judgments." The New York Times called the work a "smart, absorbing collection". The book received the PEN/Robert Bingham Prize. Following its publication, Klam's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Vulture, The New Yorker, Esquire, GQ, Harper's, and The New York Times Magazine.

In 2017 he published his second book, a novel entitled Who is Rich?. Vulture said of the work that it was "very funny, very frank, and often shocking book a book long meditation on the nature of a marriage under the stress of children and financial pressures." and the Washington Post, as well as a Book of the Year by Vogue magazine. The New York Times called his writing in Who is Rich?, "Funny, maddening and defiantly original", noting that Klam was "gifted at discussing complicated themes." The New Yorker said it was "a gem within the canon of infidelity literature." The Washington Post said of the work that it was, "an irresistible comic novel that pumps blood back into the anemic tales of middle aged white guys." The book was nominated for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

In 2008 Klam was the recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship for fiction writing. He has also been a recipient of a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, a Whiting Award and an O. Henry Award.