The Irish novelist and playwright on the positives of ageing, his struggles with depression and a golden age of Irish writingSebastian Barry, 68, is the author of 11 novels and 15 plays. Five of his books have been long- or shortlisted for the Booker prize, and his novels have won numerous awards, including the Costa book of the year (twice) and the Walter Scott prize for historical fiction. He was laureate for Irish fiction from 2018 to 2021. His latest novel, Old God’s Time, is about a retired policeman, Tom Kettle, and his struggles with the legacy of institutional child abuse in Ireland. It has been described as “a tour de force of transcendent power and complexity”. Barry was born in Dublin and lives in a converted rectory in the mountains of County Wicklow, Ireland.Was it good to be back in Ireland with Old God’s Time? Did it feel like coming home?I was in dread of coming home. I had spent two books [Days Without End and A Thousand Moons] in America, quite joyously… a kind of vast holiday. So, yes, it was coming home, but I was a bit… It’s not that I’ve been avoiding the whole strange cosmos of what we have done to children in this country, but I was certainly unable to write this book… until I did. When you get past 60, you do feel a sort of licence finally to write fearlessly about something that essentially is full of fear.Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry is published in paperback by Faber (£9.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2024-02-10 18:00:48 UTC ]
The Booker Prize’s "wide-ranging and diverse" shortlist has been met with a broadly positive response from the trade, though there is surprise from some that authors like Max Porter missed out on the final six. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-04 10:36:45 UTC ]
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Interviews Carolyne Larrington Audible’s new fiction podcast, Hag, launching August 29, features eight reimaginings of traditional British folktales by eight contemporary female writers, with folktales chosen from across the UK. The collection will be... Continue reading at World Literature Today
[ World Literature Today | 2019-08-30 14:21:50 UTC ]
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The Booker Prize has remained tightlipped over speculation that Lee Child will join the judging panel for the 2020 prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-12 09:45:34 UTC ]
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“The phrase ‘common-or-garden dick’ in a medieval poem? Yes, please.” On the gleefully indecent lines of the Medieval Welsh feminist poet Gwerful Mechain. | Lit Hub For the anxious historical fiction writer, Caitlin Horrocks offers some permissions for writing into the past. | Lit Hub “As a... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-08-09 10:30:36 UTC ]
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The Amazon review for my debut novel was glowing, including words like “compelling” and “fun.” And then there was this: “If you love historical fiction, you’ll love The Last Book Party.” Say what? How could my novel, which is set during the 1980s—a decade of my own youth—be historical fiction?... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2019-08-01 11:00:53 UTC ]
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Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments' is among 13 titles longlisted for this year's Booker Prize, despite being embargoed until September 10. It may even make the shortlist, announced on September 3, before it is even published. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Spanish philosopher and poet George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As a genre, historical fiction allows us to shuttle back in time to stand in the shoes, clogs, chopines, and go-go boots of people—real and imagined—to consider the... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2019-07-15 11:00:13 UTC ]
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Historical fiction authors bring textbook events to life. By creating backstories and intricate narratives, authors can turn a few lines ... Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-06-28 10:36:47 UTC ]
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Robin Robertson has become the first Scot to win the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction with his book The Long Take (Picador). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 13:23:17 UTC ]
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They should be seen as communications infrastructure, and be made to serve the public interest. Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2019-06-07 01:34:58 UTC ]
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Crankstart officially takes over as the supporter of the Booker Prize on 1st June, ending 18 years of sponsorship by The Man Group. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-31 17:35:51 UTC ]
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A “dazzling” six-book shortlist has been announced for the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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For nearly 20 years, Namwali Serpell has been writing “The Old Drift.” If you don’t find that fact alone to be staggering, consider this: The 576-page book blends English with a multitude of Bantu languages spoken in Zambia. Incorporating elements of historical fiction, sci-fi, magical realism,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction has unveiled its longlist, as the chair of the judges warns choosing a shortlist “from these corkers is going to be a tough task”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Booker Prize will be sponsored by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Sir Michael Moritz's charitable foundation Crankstart in a five-year deal, it has been announced. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Booker Prize Foundation has signed an agreement with the Crankstart Foundation to take over sponsorship of the Booker prizes from the Man Group, which has ended its 18 year support off the awards. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bart van Es wrote about a Jewish girl who was sheltered by his grandparents during World War Two. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2019-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Costa Book of the Year prize goes to its biography category winner, a tale of the Dutch Nazi resistance by Bart van Es. The post Bart van Es’ Biography ‘The Cut Out Girl’ Named Costa Book of the Year appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Booker Prize Foundation said yesterday that it was "confident" of finding a new sponsor following the decision of the hedge fund company the Man Group to end its association with the Booker Prize and the Booker International Prize. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The acclaimed young Irish author Sally Rooney is the winner of the 2018 Costa Book Prize in the novel category. The overall Costa Book of the Year is to be named January 29. The post Ireland’s Sally Rooney Leads Costa Prize Category Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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