David James Duncan is an American novelist and essayist born in Portland, Oregon in 1952. He is best known for his two bestselling novels, The River Why published in 1983 and The Brothers K published in 1992. Both works received the Pacific Northwest Booksellers award, establishing Duncan as a significant voice in contemporary American fiction. The Brothers K achieved particular recognition, named a New York Times Notable Book in 1992 and winning a Best Books Award from the American Library Association. These accolades reflect the critical acclaim his work has garnered within the literary community. Duncan's third novel, Sun House, was released by Little, Brown and Company on August 8, 2023, continuing his career as a novelist and essayist.