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 ]
News tagged with: #gay marriage #publisher ran #literary fiction #tv star

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World Book Night celebrations readied internationally

The Duchess of Cornwall, Stephen Fry and actor William Rycroft are among those gearing up to hand... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book world expresses disappointment, outrage over Pulitzer snub

Pulitzer juror Susan Larson said she and the rest of the fiction jury are 'shocked … angry … and very disappointed' that the Pulitzer board elected not to choose a 2012 fiction winner. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S signs world for Elliott Wright

Simon & Schuster has signed world rights in two novels by début author Susan Elliott... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: dispatches from a diehard fan

The Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Fla., more than lived up to its hype for this fan. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Candlelit readings to be held for World Book Night

  This year's volunteer givers for World Book Night (23rd April) are being encouraged... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Scholastic to close Horrible Histories virtual world

Scholastic Children’s Books has announced plans to close its existing Horrible Histories... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Young Reader Prizes Opens For Entries

Newspapers have until 4 May to submit an entry to the World Young Reader Prizes, the annual awards from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) that recognize success in engaging the young. The awards in five categories - E ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Allen Lane publish Shakespeare's world in 20 objects

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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"Maverick" Grahame-Smith to Transworld

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Edinburgh World Writers' Conference to launch in August

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mindshapes to launch virtual world for picturebooks

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Heroes join World Book Day party

Half a million children in 21 countries are joining top children's authors in events to celebrate World Book Day. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2012-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter ebooks coming to schools, libraries around the world

Pottermore has partnered with ebook company Overdrive to bring electronic versions of the 'Harry Potter' series to libraries and schools in five languages. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nottingham Post Beats Papers Across the World for Kindle Readers

Your Nottingham Post is kindling a flame among digital newspaper subscribers. The Post is among the most popular newspapers used on the device that's revolutionising reading. The Kindle, the handheld ebook reader that allows users to browse, bu ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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RNA shortlists reflect 'wonderful diversity' of genre

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French law on out of print works 'world first'

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Little Beauty for Doubleday Ireland

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Doorley new Hachette Ireland editorial director

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Agile' publishing at Digital Book World

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany joins World Book Night

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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