Graham Norton: ‘In a world going to hell in a handcart, Ireland is a wonderful beacon’

The chatshow host’s new novel centres on Irish lives dominated by shame and repression. Yet, after ‘decades of darkness’, the country’s legalisation of abortion and gay marriage have made him hopefulGraham Norton’s second novel, A Keeper, had not gone to press before this interview, so his publisher ran off an A5 photocopy for me. After reading the first few pages, I thought they must have sent me the wrong book. Literary fiction this strong could not be the work of a TV star whose canon of previous works comprised one novel. Whoever wrote this clearly had to be an established author.When I tell Norton this, he does a little squirm beside me on the sofa. “Oh my God, that’s incredibly nice of you. I’m not very good at taking compliments, so let’s gloss over this bit, but I’ll just say thank you very much. Seriously, that’s really, really nice.”We’ve got to thank the church for what Ireland is now, because it is a reaction to all those decades of darknessPeople get stuck in their heads about the thing that’s wrong with their life – they forget to have a lovely time Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How the world of ‘1984’ haunts our present

Dorian Lynskey’s ‘The Ministry of Truth’ looks at the cultural impact of George Orwell’s famous novel. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-06-21 13:39:00 UTC ]
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Tributes paid to 'wonderfully entertaining' Brian Stone

Aitken Alexander has announced the death of literary agent Brian Stone, who had been suffering from dementia for many years. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-20 10:25:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tributes paid #aitken alexander #literary agent


Hachette Books Ireland snaps up Instagram debut novel from White

Hachette Books Ireland has snapped up an "incredible" debut novel by Irish journalist Sophie White about the world of Instagram influencers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 14:38:06 UTC ]
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New Report Looks at Translated Literature in Some World Markets

Called a 'Diversity Report,' a new study looks at the status of translated literature various book markets, with emphasis on Austria and Slovenia. The post New Report Looks at Translated Literature in Some World Markets appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-06-11 05:30:05 UTC ]
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China Bestsellers for April: World Book Day Promos, Liu Cixin, and Camus

Marketing for World Book Day boosted titles we find on April's China bestseller lists. And Albert Camus' 1942 'L'Étranger' charts for the first time. The post China Bestsellers for April: World Book Day Promos, Liu Cixin, and Camus appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-06-05 05:30:57 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #albert camus #china bestsellers #liu cixin


BookCon 2019: World Builders

How do writers create other worlds? And are those worlds just our world in disguise? Joe Hill, N.K. Jemisin, Sean Murphy, V.E. Schwab, and Chuck Wendig share their secrets. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Breaking cycling’s color barrier, and world records, in the early 20th century

The enigmatic Major Taylor was one of the first black sports superstars, writes Michael Kranish. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-05-31 12:52:18 UTC ]
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Bookseller Options in the Post-B&T Retail World

If you’re a bookseller, you’re probably looking to figure out the best way to keep books coming in following Baker & Taylor's withdrawal from retail wholesale. Here are your options. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At 19, on a whim, she entered the world’s most grueling horse race — and won

Lara Prior-Palmer surprised everyone, including herself. That’s what makes her memoir, “Rough Magic,” especially appealing. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-05-30 12:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2019: Sarah J. Maas's Whole New World

“It was all about the story. The story I couldn’t stop thinking about, the one I was the most excited to write,” says Sarah J. Maas, best known for her two YA series Throne of Glass and Court of Thorns and Roses, of her decision to create her first epic fantasy series for adults. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2019: Malcolm Gladwell Wonders What Goes Wrong Between Strangers

In 'Talking to Strangers' (Little, Brown, Sept.), Gladwell goes in search of an answer to the question at the root of his obsession with the case of Sandra Bland: “What happens when we have to deal with the unfamiliar?” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Expo 2019: Adult Breakfast Authors Say Crime Pays in Literary World

Thursday morning's Adult Book & Author Breakfast featured Rachel Maddow, Malcolm Gladwell, Karin Slaughter, Marjorie Liu, and Ta-Nehisi Coates introducing their newest books, with presentations emphasizing the true crimes that inspired each to write. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #crime pays #literary world #thursday morning #malcolm gladwell #karin slaughter #marjorie liu #true crimes


Robert Bernstein, publisher and champion of dissidents around the world, dies at 96

Robert L. Bernstein, a publishing executive and human rights activist who presided over a generation of dynamic growth at Random House and advocated for dissidents around the world, from the Soviet Union to Argentina, has died after a brief illness. He was 96. The tall, sandy-haired... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-05-29 20:40:00 UTC ]
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More than half of Ireland's GDPR probes are related to Facebook

Ireland's data watchdog has launched 19 investigations since GDPR came into force. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2019-05-28 08:26:30 UTC ]
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Readers can’t get enough World War II fiction, and authors are happy to keep the books coming

Pamela Jenoff, Kate Quinn and other authors talk about how they find inspiration for their novels. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-05-24 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing world pays tribute to 'extraordinary' Judith Kerr

Figures from across the children’s book world have been paying tribute to the “extraordinary” Judith Kerr, following her death at the age of 95. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-23 21:54:07 UTC ]
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Debut author triumphs with Children’s Books Ireland awards hat-trick

Debut author Kelly McCaughrain has won a trio of prizes at the Children’s Books Ireland awards—a first in the 29 year history of the prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-22 12:44:25 UTC ]
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With ‘Orange World,’ Karen Russell delivers the must-read short-story collection of the summer

The eight stories pay homage to fantasy, horror and science fiction greats, while charting new territory. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-05-20 15:43:55 UTC ]
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BookExpo's Librarians' Lounge 2019: Meet the Authors and Editors Behind Random House's New ‘Make Me a World’ Imprint

On Friday, May 31, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., join Random House Children's Books in the Librarians' Lounge (Booth 557) for an exclusive talk with some of the creators behind the publishers' inclusive new publishing program. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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British Book Awards’ Top 2019 Prize Goes to Ireland’s Sally Rooney

The annual 'Nibbies,' as the British Book Awards are known, this year are led by the acclaimed Irish author, Sally Rooney, who calls herself 'astonishingly lucky.' The post British Book Awards’ Top 2019 Prize Goes to Ireland’s Sally Rooney appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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