The world of literature is mourning the passing of Sophie Kinsella, the popular best-selling English writer who enchanted millions of readers around the world with her light and insightful stories. The author, famous above all for the very successful “I Love Shopping” series, died this morning at the age of 55, due to an aggressive brain tumor diagnosed at the end of 2022. The news was released by her family, who wanted to remember the courage and gratitude with which she faced the disease.
The author, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Townley (Wickham when married), would have turned 56 in just two days. She is survived by her husband, Henry Wickham, and their five children.
The touching message from the family
The painful news was communicated through a touching post on social media. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy),” the joint statement read.
The family wanted to underline the writer’s fortitude in facing such a difficult period: “Despite her illness, which she endured with unimaginable courage, Sophie considered herself truly lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career. She took nothing for granted and was always grateful for the love she received.”
The last work: a dialogue with pain
Sophie Kinsella turned her personal battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, into inspiration for her latest work, What Does It Feel Like, released last year. The author, translated into 40 languages and with over fifty million copies sold in her career, revealed her health problems to her fans only a year ago, describing the diagnosis, the surgery and the subsequent cycles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“I didn’t communicate this sooner because I wanted to make sure my children were able to hear and process this news in privacy and adapt to our new normal,” he explained, demonstrating his constant attention towards his family.
His latest novel is a testament to his resilience. At the center of the plot is Eve, a famous writer who, faced with illness, is forced to recall what truly has value: intimate moments with her husband and children, without giving up the small pleasures of life. The book is structured in short chapters that attempt to answer the “hardest questions” of those navigating the labyrinth of grief, offering a way to stay close to those facing cancer.
From economist to ‘chick lit’ icon
An economics graduate from Oxford, Kinsella had a brief stint as a financial journalist before devoting herself fully to romantic fiction at the age of 24. Born in the London suburb of Wandsworth on 12 December 1970, she achieved global fame in 2000 with “I Love Shopping” (*The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic*), signed with the pseudonym that made her famous.
The saga, which defined the ‘chick lit’ genre, has continued successfully, spawning eight further titles and inspiring the 2009 film starring Isla Fisher. In addition to the successful series, the author has published 13 other successful novels, such as “Can you keep a secret?” (2003) and “I’m exhausted” (2023), as well as works for children, all translated into Italy by Mondadori.
On social media, fans from all over the world are leaving their tributes, remembering Sophie Kinsella’s irony, lightness and ability to make life, despite its complexities, always a little brighter.
La7 Cinema remembers Sophie Kinsella this evening with “I Love Shopping”
La7 Cinema remembers Sophie Kinsella – the English author who passed away today – by broadcasting the film I Love Shopping (2009), based on her famous bestseller, this evening at 9.15pm. The comedy directed by PJ Hogan, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy, brings to the screen the beloved story of Rebecca Bloomwood, protagonist of the famous series that has won readers all over the world. A special event to celebrate the irony, narrative lightness and unique style that have made Kinsella one of the most beloved authors of contemporary fiction.