Russell Banks (born March 28, 1940) is an American writer of fiction and poetry. As a novelist, Banks is best known for his "detailed accounts of domestic strife and the daily struggles of ordinary often-marginalized characters".His stories usually revolve around his own childhood experiences, and often reflect "moral themes and personal relationships".Banks is a member of the International Parliament of Writers and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.He received Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service in 2011 for Literature category.