Julie Powell

American author known for her book "Julie & Julia"

Julie Powell

Julie Powell (April 20, 1973 – October 26, 2022) was an American author best known for her book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, which was later adapted into the film Julie & Julia. Her work is credited with popularizing the concept of blogging about personal projects and experiences.

Early Life and Education

Julie Powell was born in Austin, Texas. She attended Amherst College, where she graduated with a double major in theater and creative writing. Her early education and experiences in theater and writing laid the foundation for her future career as an author.

Career

The Julie/Julia Project

In 2002, while working for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, Powell embarked on a year-long project to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She documented her experiences in a blog called "The Julie/Julia Project," which gained a significant following and led to a book deal.

Julie & Julia

Powell's book, Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, was published in 2005. The book was a memoir of her year-long cooking project and was well-received by critics and readers alike. It was later adapted into the 2009 film Julie & Julia, directed by Nora Ephron and starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell.

Later Works

Following the success of Julie & Julia, Powell wrote Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession, published in 2009. This book explored her experiences learning the art of butchery and delved into her personal life, including her marriage.

Personal Life

Julie Powell was married to Eric Powell, an editor for Archaeology magazine. The couple's relationship was a central theme in her second book, Cleaving. Powell was known for her candid and humorous writing style, which resonated with many readers.

Death

Julie Powell passed away on October 26, 2022, at the age of 49. Her contributions to literature and the blogging community are remembered by many.

Legacy

Powell's work is credited with inspiring a generation of bloggers and writers to document their personal projects and experiences. Her story highlighted the power of the internet to connect people and share personal narratives on a global scale.

Related Pages

• Julia Child
• Blogging
• Memoir
• Film adaptation