This Saturday in The Irish Times, a discussion between Colm Tóibín and Keith Duggan on the sequel to Brooklyn, Long Island, is expected. Rónán Hession will also share about his fresh novel, Ghost Mountain, with Sarah Gilmartin. Additionally, Adrian Dunbar will confer his role in the festival Beckett: Unbound 2024, occurring in Paris and Liverpool, where he cooperates with composer Nick Roth. There will also be a conversation with George Stephanopoulos, former adviser in the White House during Clinton’s era, about The Situation Room, his chronicle of the White House. Moreover, author David Nicholls will participate in a Q&A session regarding his newest novel, You Are Here.
Reviewers include Brian Hanley with a critical view on Land Is All That Matters: The Struggle That Shaped Irish History by Myles Dungan, Ian Hughes on United States Last: The Right’s Century-long Romance with Foreign Dictators by Jacob Heilbrunn, among others.
The globally recognised Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2024, the largest literary honour for youthful authors, was won this year by British-Ghanaian writer Caleb Azumah Nelson. His novel, Small Worlds (Viking, Penguin Random House UK), described as ‘anthemic’, secured him this prestigious honour. The 30-year-old author was presented with the £20,000 global award, honouring outstanding literary prowess of individuals under the age of 39, at a ceremony in Swansea tonight.
The chair of the judging panel, Namita Gokhale, expressed that the book “Small Worlds” is a genuine refuge with its portrayal of the challenges and rewards of living with and away from one’s culture. The paperback edition of the book, released a month ago, beautifully narrates a familial tale between a father and son, spanning three summers in south London and Ghana. The accolade reaffirms Azumah Nelson’s burgeoning status in the literary world, following his prior work “Open Water” which was a finalist for the same award in 2022.
The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) has announced Ian Penman as the recipient of its prestigious 2024 RSL Ondaatje Prize, carrying a hefty reward of £10,000. Penman’s novel “Fassbinder Thousands of Mirrors” received high praise from the judges for its vivid portrayal of postwar Germany.
After receiving the award from Jans Ondaatje Rolls, who was presenting on behalf of her father Christopher, Penman expressed his disbelief and gratitude. He dedicated his win to Rainer Werner Fassbinder, lauding his impact on culture as unique and exceptional, and credited his existence for the book’s creation.
The prize celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and was established in 2004 to recognise distinguished works of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry that effectively capture a place’s essence.
Xiaolu Guo, the chief judge, extolled Penman’s creativity and innovation. She remarked that his book, giving readers a view of European film, particularly Fassbinder’s, transported her to postwar Europe. She revealed that the book resonated with her, taking her back to her younger years and reminding her of the profound influence of images on one’s perception of love and life.
Francis Spufford and Jan Carson, other members of the judging panel, expressed their satisfaction with choosing the recipient from among 194 entries spanning across novels, poetry and non-fiction. They were unanimously happy with their final decision.
Recounting Stendahl’s description of a novel as ‘a mirror making its way along the street’, Spufford likens Ian Penman’s exceptional critical memoir to a fleet of such mirrors. He elaborates, the book captures not only a blend of crude and sublime spectacles from the 1970’s life of the industrious Fassbinder, but also a kaleidoscope of contemplations and instances from Penman’s enduring allure with Fassbinder’s era, and historical context – an epoch which coincides with the youthful years of Penman. Drawing a parallel, Penman wasn’t a German film director, instead he was a music journalist from London harbouring an appetite for all things European – curating a broader worldview for his imagination based on breadcrumbs of German cinema.
Carson enthusiastically urges for a wider readership for this remarkable book. Each word detonates with vigour, leaving readers to record thoughts that urge for further exploration. In her opinion, the book brims with so many hypotheses, viewpoints and profound bits of wisdom, that assigning it a label becomes a challenge. Essentially, it’s a narrative of life, philosophy, critique and is whimsical enough to seem fictitious. Yet, it is one of the most rooted books she has read in recent times. While it does delve into German cinema, it merely serves as a mirror that Penman brandishes, coercing readers to immerse themselves in deep self-reflection.
The Dalkey Book Festival is slated to make a comeback this upcoming June 13th till 16th, boasting a line-up that includes illustrious names such as Paul Lynch, Colm Tóibín, Claire Keegan, Anne Enright, among others. David Baddiel is set to introduce his newest book – a family memoir – at the festival. In addition to this, Neil Jordan will converse with Stephen Rea as he launches his own memoir. American actor and Happy Days’ legend Henry Winkler, will share insights on his memoir, while Irish luminary Barry McGovern will be performing a reading from Beckett.
With the global focus shifting towards Gaza, a myriad of Palestinian voices will be highlighted including authors such as Isabella Hammad, Karim Kattan, and Nathan Thrall, who is celebrated for his work ‘A Day in the Life of Abed Salama’. Among these voices, we will also see Jeremy Bowen, a renowned Middle East reporter for the BBC.
Prominent individuals such as Christiane Amanpour from CNN, an award-winning reporter known for her front-line journalism, as well as David Brooks, one of the most influential critics from The New York Times and Jeffrey Goldberg, editor at The Atlantic, will join in conversation with Fintan O’Toole. We are also anticipating insights into democracy, theatre, and the roots of the current cultural clash from renowned Shakespeare scholar, James Shapiro.
From exploring the origins of conflict in the Middle East, to tensions surrounding the Ukrainian war and the challenges facing international stability, to the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, Dalkey will open its doors to an international panel consisting of Katja Hoyer from Germany, David de Jong from the Netherlands, and Financial Times contributors; Robert Shrimsley, Janine Gibson, and Fred Studemann. Additionally, James O’Brien from LBC will discuss his latest publication, “How They Broke Britain”.
A variety of topics from history to nature, and science will be covered, with contributors like Peter Frankopan and Paddy Cullivan for history, Manchán Magan and Sean Ronayne for nature, Luke O’Neill, Ruth Freeman, and Ian Robertson for science. Furthermore, a session on satirical writing will feature Robert Shrimsley, Kathy Lette, Colm O’Regan and Colm Williamson from Waterford Whispers.
Festival director, Sian Smyth, expressed her enthusiasm for the event stating, “It is a pleasure to host and celebrate Ireland’s literary talent with the world. We’re looking forward to hosting globally recognised figures such as Christiane Amanpour and notable Palestinian voices, Isabella Hammad and Karim Kattan alongside Jeremy Bowen from the Middle East. The diverse array of subjects covered from history and science to theatre and comedy, promises to offer something engaging for everyone.”
The distinguished list of finalists for the 2024 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography includes Dr Jackie UI Chionna, one of Ireland’s leading social and oral historians. She has been recognised for her book, Queen of Codes: The Secret Life of Emily Anderson, Britain’s Greatest Female Code Breaker (Published by Headline).
Deborah E. Lipstadt, Kal Raustiala, MW Rowe, and Jackie Wullschläger are also contenders for their respective works on Israel’s matriarch Golda Meir, Ralph Bunche’s significant role in the UN, D-Day intelligence officer JL Austin, and the expressive visions of painter Monet.
Chaired by Prof Roy Foster, the panel of judges also includes Antonia Fraser, Chair Emerita; Elizabeth Longford’s daughter, Flora Fraser; Richard Davenport-Hines; and Prof Rana Mitter. The completion will conclude with the winner’s announcement scheduled for 12th June.
Foster stated that over its 21-year history, the Elizabeth Longford Prize has continued to expand and redefine the impact of individuals who have significantly influenced history. He appreciated the diversity of this year’s entries, praising their depth of research, engaging storytelling, and their ability to demonstrate how single lives can transcend barriers and significantly impact history in often unappreciated ways.
Meanwhile, the 2024 James Tait Black Prizes, the longest-standing literary awards in Britain, have been won by narratives focusing on a fictitious town in northern Australia, an introspective study into the works of a writer who ended their own life, and an evocative representation of post-second world War epoch characterised by the advent of sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll.
Alexis Wright, a celebrated author from Australia’s Waanyi nation, has been awarded the fiction prize for her fourth novel, Praiseworthy. The book provides a 700-page exploration of the climate emergency and its effects on the imagined northern Australian town of Praiseworthy. Notably, the book is also a contender for the Dublin Literary Award, with the victor due to be announced in the following week. Meanwhile, Noel O’Regan’s Though the Bodies Fall was also a nominee for the fiction accolade.
For the first time in the award’s history, the biography award was shared equally, given to two different works – Traces of Enayat by Iman Mersal, and Fassbinder: Thousands of Mirrors by Ian Penman. It marked an unprecedented occasion where both the author and translator were jointly bestowed with the prize. Translations were permitted to enter the awards from 2021 onwards, and they are the only prominent UK book awards appraised by literature academics and students.
Mersal, who was born in Egypt but currently resides in Canada, is an acclaimed writer, poet, academic, and translator. In her biographical work, Traces of Enayat, she paints a vivid picture of the life of Egyptian author Enayat al-Zayyat, whose only novel Love and Silence, was published after her early death by suicide. The book is a highly personal memoir of Mersal’s experiences of a transforming Cairo while simultaneously examining al-Zayyat’s poignant biography.
Sharing the winner’s spotlight for the biography award, Fassbinder: Thousands of Mirrors was released by Fitzcarraldo Editions and showcases the work of renowned author Ian Penman.
According to award judge Dr Benjamin Bateman of the University of Edinburgh, Praiseworthy stands out for interlacing climate concern and indigenous rights in a highly entertaining and engaging novel. The book stirs up a broad spectrum of contemporary ethical and political debates.
In similar stellar fashion, Robin Moger, an acclaimed translator of Arabic literature into English, has translated several fictional and prose works, playing a pivotal role in the joint award for the biography prize.
Dr Simon Cooke from the University of Edinburgh hailed “Traces of Enayat” as an innovative, introspective biography that skilfully captures the enigmatic nature of Enayat al-Zayyat. He commended the book’s ability to illustrate the cultural context of Cairo and its influence on Enayat. Cooke praised the successful integration of diverse formats into the narrative, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant read.
The book “Thousands of Mirrors”, authored by British scribe Ian Penman, emerged as the winner, offering readers a glimpse into the world of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll in the aftermath of World War II. The narrative details the life of German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, renowned for his prolific contributions to the New German Cinema movement. Recognising Penman’s exceptional narrative craft, Cooke described the book as a touching, stylistically flexible account of Fassbinder’s complex life.
The respected Gold Dagger Award by the Crime Writers’ Association, which recognises the best crime novel, has shortlisted Una Mannion’s second novel, “Tell Me What I Am”. The list includes books like “Over My Dead Body” by Maz Evans, “The Secret Hours” by Mick Herron, “Small Mercies” by Dennis Lehane, “Black River” by Nilanjana Roy, and “Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Sutanto.
The 2024 Listowel Writer’s Week schedule, to occur from May 29 to June 2, has been unveiled, with poet Martin Dyar presiding as the curator. The theme for this year’s edition centres around Mother Nature. This much-anticipated literary festival had its inaugural event in 1971.
The inaugural evening of the festival will see President Michael D. Higgins being honoured with the John B. Keane Lifetime Achievement Award, a tribute to his immeasurable contributions to the Irish art scene. The President is scheduled to be present in Listowel to accept this honour.
Highlighted events from the festival include a session with the renowned US novelist, Alice McDermott. She is expected to share insights from her bestselling novel Absolution, as recognised by the New York Times.
The festival attendees will also get an opportunity to watch the IFTA award-winning film “That They May Face the Rising Sun” and engage in a post-screening interaction with the film’s director, Pat Collins, and Shakespeare expert, Andy Murphy.
In celebration of the thirtieth year of Riverdance, a discussion is planned between Grammy award-winning composer Bill Whelan and Philip King.
Results of the Dingle Lit Festival’s Short Story Competition have also been announced. The Irish-language section saw Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh secure the first spot with her piece Áine sa Phríomhchathair, followed by Brian Ó Donnchadha and Úna Nic Cárthaigh. Pauline Clooney with The Last Smoking Wedding in the Country emerged victorious in the English-language section with Miriam Needham and Claire O’Reilly securing the second and third places respectively.
Nicole Flattery, one of the judges, expressed her delight over the quality of submissions. She found the Prize-winning stories to be not only technically proficient but also rich with voice and humour. She anticipates their future works with much curiosity.
Other prominent panel members included Anna Stein and Camilla Dinkel for the English submissions, while Cathal Póirtéir presided over the Irish submissions. Póirtéir praised the winning story as a believable, empathetic and powerful piece that beautifully captures the core of its main character as well as its reader.
Dr Ní Mhaonaigh expressed her joy at winning the short story competition, thanking the Irish language contests that provide motivation and courage to both new and established writers. “I am privileged and honoured to have been acknowledged as the Dingle Literary Festival’s short story competition winner”, shared Clooney. “I am deeply grateful to the festival team and the adjudicators. I am eager to utilise the writing time this award provides me with, in the beautiful backdrop of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig.”
Short story authors were given the opportunity to share their work in Irish or English in the Dingle Lit Short Story Competition, hosted in collaboration with Dingle Distillery. The champion of the Irish language competition will be awarded a week-long retreat in West Kerry Gaeltacht while the English language victor will spend a week at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig. Each second-place author will receive €250 and a slot in a 2024 Dingle Lit writing workshop. The author in third place for each language will be granted €100 and a spot in a Dingle Lit writing workshop in the same year.
Audiences will have the chance to appreciate the submissions of the winners and runner-ups on the dinglelit.ie, and selected excerpts from the triumphant short stories will feature in the 2024 Dingle Lit festival brochure. The laureates will also have the privilege to recite excerpts from their works during the festival, slated for November 15th through 17th. A crowd of over 2,000 people attended the previous year’s festival.
Lastly, six Irish literary creators and critics have found a spot on the longlist for The TikTok Book Awards this year.
The Booktoker of the Year accolade could possibly go to @irishfella.exe, also known as Shane, who has established a significant following exceeding two million on TikTok, thanks to his live-streamed story narrations. Claire Wright, the Irish writer behind the adult fantasy saga, Fair Ones, and known on Tik Tok as @clairewright.author, has received a nomination for the Breakthrough Author of the Year. Her series is an innovative retelling of Irish mythology, incorporating elements of both urban and epic fantasy, and includes a murder mystery in its first instalment, Realm of Lore and Lies. The second volume, Realm of Trials and Trickery Fair Ones, is currently available. The Book of the Year nominee is The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue, also known as @czaronline. Nominated for Indie Bookshop of the Year is Kenny’s Bookshop, found on Tik Tok at @kennysbookshop.
Two other Irish nomination entries within the Rising Stars of BookTok include Niamh Wallace, a member of the publishing community, who goes by @booksarebrainfood and proclaims to be a book chatterer, and @colinjmccracken, who eagerly shares his favourite bookshops and top book referrals and is an active participant in the #GothicBookClub.
Renowned Basque writer, Bernardo Atxaga, known for his intricate examination of human experiences, will attend two Dublin events hosted by Instituto Cervantes Dublin. He is featured in a discussion with Irish writer Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin at the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) on the 19th of May, highlighting the importance of lesser-known languages in literature. He will also delve into his renowned work, Water over Stones, exploring the interconnected lives of characters in a Basque village over several decades. The following day, Atxaga will be part of a literary discourse and reading in Spanish at Instituto Cervantes Dublin, in celebration of diverse literary perspectives.
Lilliput Press has announced its plans to release Rodney Edwards’ Shattered Dreams: The Story of Ireland’s Mica Scandal and the Lives it Left in Ruins, an in-depth investigative examination of one of Ireland’s most significant housing scandals. This impactful piece is set to be released next Spring and delves into the systematic failings and negligence that has left countless families distraught and numerous abodes uninhabitable.
Prominent author Colin Barrett will discuss his debut novel, Wild Houses, at the well-respected Linenhall Arts Centre in his hometown of Castlebar. The dialogue will unravel on May 25th, Saturday, commencing at 8pm. The narrative spins around a brewing discord between a minor drug trader, named Cillian English, and local law enforcement agents, Gabe and Sketch Ferdia, which escalates into violent confrontations and an unsavoury ultimatum. Tickets can be procured for €15 from thelinenhall.com/whats-on/events/colin-barrett.
From July 18th-21st, Harrogate serves as the stage for Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, acknowledged as the biggest and most esteemed gathering of crime fiction globally. Irish crime novelists Catherine Ryan Howard, Jane Casey and Liz Nugent will joined by best-selling authors Richard Osman, Mick Herron, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Shari Lapena, Elly Griffiths, James Comey and Peter James.
Two celebrated Irish writers, Claire Coughlan, author of Where They Lie, and Colin Walsh, author of Kala, have been handpicked for the highly rated Critics’ New Blood Panel which aims to highlight remarkable new talent from across the globe.
This year’s festival focuses on an array of topics, from the latest artificial intelligence and its influence on criminal investigations, the intricacies of neurodivergent detectives, the clandestine realm of espionage and radical thrillers. Under the guidance of 2024’s festival chair, Ruth Ware, a renowned crime fiction author, the festival promises to honour its past while looking forward to the dynamism of future crime literature prospects. Discover more at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com.