Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron was born on May 19th, 1941. Nora passed away June 26th, 2012 at 71 years old. Nora Ephron was born in New York City, New York, USA. Ephron attended Wellesley College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
Nora Ephron was an American journalist, filmmaker, and writer known for her sharp wit and iconic romantic comedies. Over her career, she received numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, as well as nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, Writers Guild of America Awards, and a Tony Award.
In 1983, Ephron published
Heartburn, an autobiographical novel based on her marriage and eventual divorce from her second husband, Carl Bernstein. The book was inspired by Bernstein’s extramarital affair with Margaret Jay, daughter of former British Prime Minister James Callaghan. Ephron later adapted the novel into a screenplay for the 1986 film directed by Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson.
Heartburn vividly chronicles the collapse of a marriage, offering a glimpse into the personal struggles of a high-profile couple in the late 1970s. While this was Ephron’s debut novel, it introduced themes—love, betrayal, reinvention—that she would explore in later works like
When Harry Met Sally and
Julie & Julia.
The story is narrated by Rachel Samstat, a food writer loosely based on Ephron herself. Rachel is married to Mark Feldman, a political journalist modeled after Bernstein. A Jewish New Yorker, Rachel relocates to Washington, D.C., to support Mark’s career. As the novel begins, she is pregnant with their second child and already the mother of their son, Sam. The book humorously captures the couple’s affluent yet chaotic life—Rachel attends group therapy while Mark is inexplicably frustrated by the disappearance of his socks. Scattered throughout the novel are recipes, reinforcing Rachel’s identity as a food writer while also adding a personal and relatable touch.
Rachel’s world crumbles when she discovers that Mark is having an affair with socialite Thelma Rice (a stand-in for Margaret Jay). In an act of revenge, Rachel spreads a rumor that Thelma has a sexually transmitted disease.
One of the novel’s key symbols is Rachel’s diamond ring, a gift from Mark after the birth of their first child. The ring is stolen while Rachel is at therapy but later recovered when police apprehend the thief. However, when she takes the ring to be repaired, she makes a heartbreaking discovery: while she was in the hospital giving birth, Mark purchased an expensive necklace—for Thelma. This revelation cements Rachel’s decision to leave him. She sells the ring and uses the money to return to New York, determined to rebuild her life.
Upon its release,
Heartburn was featured in
The New Yorker. Critic Adam Gopnik noted that Ephron’s inclusion of recipes served as both a humorous nod to Rachel’s career and a playful commentary on novel-writing itself, as Ephron once joked that she didn’t expect to be taken seriously as a “real” novelist.
With its biting humor and unflinching honesty,
Heartburn remains a classic, offering readers both a poignant and wickedly funny take on love, betrayal, and starting over.
Nora Ephron: Awards & Accolades
Ephron's book, Heartburn was nominated for the Audie Award, Best Female Narrator, in 2014.
Nora Ephron: Lists & Other Mentions
- I Feel Bad About My Neck was a New York Times: #1 Nonfiction Best Seller in 2006.
Related Authors
The most common authors followed by users who also follow Nora Ephron are:
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- Liane Moriarty, author of the novel: Big Little Lies.
- Ann Patchett, author of the novel: The Dutch House.
- James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
- John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
Nora Ephron: F.A.Q
When was Nora Ephron Born?
Nora Ephron was born on May 19th, 1941.
When did Nora Ephron die?
Nora Ephron died on June 26th, 2012 at 71 years old.
Where was Nora Ephron Born?
Nora Ephron was born in New York City, New York, USA.
What was the first book Nora Ephron wrote?
The first book written by Nora Ephron was Wallflower at the Orgy, published in 1970.
What was the most recent book Nora Ephron wrote?
Her most recently released work was Nora Ephron on December 15th, 2015.
How many books has Nora Ephron written?
Nora Ephron has written 12 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 1 Standalone Novel, 3 books in the Plays Series, 6 books in the Non-Fiction Books, 1 book in the Collections, 1 book in The Last Interview Series.