A twentieth-century American novelist and editor, he is best known for The Tunnel of Love and The Blood of the Lamb. Many of his literary works exhibit a humorous perspective on religion.
His various odd jobs included vending machine operator, toffee-apple salesman, and radio actor.
He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
With his wife, Katinka Loeser, he had four children.
Daniel Dennett admired De Vries' humorous, religion-themed works.