Ian McEwan - GalleyCat

Ian McEwan Wins $10,000 Jerusalem Prize

Maryann Yin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:47:34 +0000

UK author Ian McEwan (pictured, via) has won the $10,000 Jerusalem Prize. It will be awarded at the 25th International Jerusalem Book Fair. The biennial prize recognizes work that articulates ideas about “freedom of the individual in society.”

Here’s more from the release: “McEwan’s protagonists struggle for their right to give personal expression to their ideas, and to live according to those ideas in an environment of political and social turmoil. His obvious affection for them, and the compelling manner in which he describes their struggle, make him one of the most important writers of our time. His books have been translated into many languages and have enjoyed world-wide success – particularly in Israel, where he is one of the most widely-read of foreign authors.”

Several past winners (including Peruvian writer, Mario Vargas Llosa) have also received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

continued…

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Thomas Pynchon Defends Ian McEwan Against Plagiarism

Jason Boog — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:43:23 +0000

In 2006, the reclusive novelist Thomas Pynchon rose to the defense of Ian McEwan during a controversy over alleged plagiarism in McEwan’s novel, Atonement.

Pynchon mailed a typewritten letter to the novelist’s British publisher, declaring: “Writers are naturally drawn, chimpanzee-like, to the color and the music of this English idiom.” The excellent Letters of Note site has a copy of the letter, where Pynchon dismissed the scandal and urged readers to be grateful for the book.

Check it out: “Memoirs of the Blitz have borne indispensable witness, and helped later generations know something of the tragedy and heroism of those days. For Mr. McEwan to have put details from one of them to further creative use, acknowledging this openly and often, and then explaining it clearly and honorably, surely merits not our scolding, but our gratitude.” (Via The Millions)

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Sam Mendes and Oprah Winfrey Land “Netherland” Scriptwriter

Jason Boog — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:23:48 +0000

After a long search, director Sam Mendes and Oprah Winfrey‘s production company have found a screenwriter to adapt Joseph O’Neill‘s “Netherland” for the screen.

They’ve tapped Christopher Hampton, the writer who managed to adapt Ian McEwan‘s “Atonement.” Winfrey’s company, Harpo Films, had bought the rights to the critically-acclaimed book, and it took a number of conversations to bring Hampton into the project.

Here’s a quote from Hampton about the adaptation: “I don’t know why Sam wanted me to do it, but I do know he feels that he has to make it. He told me there really isn’t anybody else who could make this film, since he is both a film director and an expat cricket-lover living in New York.”

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Your Booker Prize Shortlist

Sarah — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:45:30 +0000

Darkmans, by Nicola Barker
Gathering, by Anne Enright
The Reluctant Fundamentalist, by Mohsin Hamid
Mister Pip, by Lloyd Jones
On Chesil Beach, by Ian McEwan
Animal’s People, by Indra Sinha

Not surprisingly, all the news reports (like the Guardian) focus on McEwan’s “surviving the cull.” More still from the BBC.

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Halberstam Selected As Next Out of the Book Author

Sarah — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:10:45 +0000

Powell’s has made their choice for the next “Out of the Book” film after debuting the concept with Ian McEwan‘s ON CHESIL BEACH. This time, they will debut a film based on David Halberstam‘s THE COLDEST WINTER: AMERICA AND THE KOREAN WAR, published by Hyperion on September 25. The 28-minute film will be produced by series creator Dave Weich of Powell’s Books. The director is once again Doug Biro of Hudson River Films.

Shelf Awareness further reports that the movie will premier on November 11, when McNally-Robinson shows it at Two Boots Pioneer Theater. Between November 12 and December 15, the film will be shown across the country at events hosted by 75 independent booksellers that, as with the Ian McEwan film (shown by 54 booksellers), will include panel discussions, live music, special guests – the latter part especially important in light of Halberstam’s recent passing. The film will rely on some of Halberstam’s friends and feature commentary from Joan Didion, Seymour Hersh, Robert Caro and Bob Woodward.

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Booker Prize Bulletpoints

Sarah — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:02:29 +0000

Now that the longlist has been announced, reaction streams in from all over the world:

It’s a “giant felling” list, according to John Ezard and Martin Hodgson. [Guardian]

But Erica Wagner thinks the list is relatively surprise-free. [The Times]

Bookmakers William Hill makes Ian McEwan the favorite, but installing Lloyd Jones‘ MISTER PIP at 20/1? Tsk tsk. [Booktrade.info]

DJ Taylor backs MISTER PIP. [Guardian]

Nikita Lalwani and Indra Sinha are celebrated in India for being longlisted. [The Hindu Times]

Reaction in New Zealand to MISTER PIP being on the longlist. [NZ Herald, Stuff.co.nz]

Similar reaction in Canada for Michael Redhill‘s appearance. [CBC, G&M]

And in Ireland, they’re happy for Anne Enright.[RTE]

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Atlantic and Plum Form Summer Reading Partnership

Sarah — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:00:13 +0000

The monthly magazine Atlantic has announced a partnership with Plum, the media network of Americaâ€™s most influential destination communities, that celebrates books, ideas, and the spirit of community. The first installment, called BOOKMARK 2007, launched on Nantucket on July 14 and run through the end of August. 10 books, ranging from novels by Ian McEwan and Claire Messud to non-fiction books by David Halberstam and Christopher Hitchens, comprise the recommended reading list, and form the backbone of Bookmark2007 which also features video content, literary events and an interactive website.

“We’re thrilled to be joining up with Plum, which shares our delight in great books and our goal of inspiring conversation around ideas that matter,” said Atlantic editor James Bennet. Tom Scott, CEO and co-founder of Plum, added: “When we set out to celebrate people and place, and spirit and intellect in some of the most beautiful places in America, we could not have asked for a better partner.”

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Knighthood for Rushdie

Sarah — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:12:22 +0000

The Associated Press reports that Salman Rushdie, who was forced into hiding for a decade after the leader of Iran’s revolution ordered his assassination, has been made a knight. The author of THE SATANIC VERSES was on the list of honors marking Queen Elizabeth II‘s official birthday. “I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honor, and am very grateful that my work has been recognized in this way,” he said in a statement about his new OBE, given for “services to literature.”

The Guardian collects reactions from various literary luminaries. “I am delighted for him,” said fellow novelist Ian McEwan said. “He’s a wonderful writer, and this sends a firm message to the book-burners and their appeasers.” John Sutherland, academic and former Booker prize judge, suggested the award might represent a tacit olive branch from those who perhaps had failed to support Sir Salman as he might have hoped. “It’s astonishing that Tony Blair, among others, has been so reluctant to be seen shaking Rushdie’s hand, and here he is getting a knighthood from the Queen,” said the emeritus professor of literature.

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Achebe Wins Booker International Prize

Sarah — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:28:02 +0000

The BBC reports that Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, best known for his 1958 novel THINGS FALL APART, has won the Man Booker International Prize in honor of his literary career. The 76-year-old author beat out an impressive roster of writers including Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie for the 60,000 pound biannual prize, which will be presented to Achebe at a ceremony in Oxford on June 28.

Academic and author Elaine Showalter, who was one of the judges, said: “In THINGS FALL APART and his other fiction set in Nigeria, Chinua Achebe inaugurated the modern African novel. He also illuminated the path for writers around the world seeking new words and forms for new realities and societies. We honour his literary example and achievements.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who recently won the Orange Prize for Fiction, said of Achebe: “He is a remarkable man. The writer and the man. He’s what I think writers should be.”

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Will McEwan’s New Book Be Eligible for the Booker?

Sarah — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:32:26 +0000

Booktrade.info reports that William Hill, the bookmakers famous for placing odds on those eligible to win the Booker Prize, are turning away those who want to bet early on Ian McEwan‘s ON CHESIL BEACH because no one seems to know whether the book is eligible for the Prize, or even whether it will be submitted for it. “McEwan’s books are always prominent contenders for the prize, and I was all set to make his just published ON CHESIL BEACH the 4/1 favourite to win the 2007 Prize when doubts were raised about its eligibility.’ said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe. “There is some doubt about whether it is a novel or a novella. The latter are apparently banned by the Booker, although there seems to be no definition as to what makes a novella a novel or vice versa. We have asked the publishers whether they will actually submit the book, and they don’t seem to know,” said Sharpe. “This has meant that I have already had to turn away people wanting to bet on the book, on the grounds that we do not know whether it will be a ‘runner’. In a quarter of a century of betting on the Booker I cannot remember a similar problem cropping up.”

But Elizabeth Hand points out that the so-called problem is quite fixable. “A novel is usually considered to be a work over 40,000 words in length,” she explains, “and seems like a word count
would resolve the issue.”

In other McEwan-related news, the author is to send back a handful of pebbles he admitted taking from the titular protected beach in Dorset after his admission in a recent interview subjected him to a possible 2,000 pound fine. “I was not aware of having committed a crime, having not seen any signs on Chesil Beach,” McEwan said in a statement. “Chesil Beach is a uniquely beautiful place and I’m delighted to return the handful of small pieces of shingle to it.”

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Authors Get Filmic for Powell’s

Sarah — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:52:37 +0000

The New York Times’ Julie Bosman picks up on a story Shelf Awareness featured earlier this month about Powell’s new series of short films featuring authors, to be shown at their bookstores, movie-premiere style. Ian McEwan is the star of the first “Out of the Book” film, which is planned to run 23 minutes and will feature snippets from an on-camera interview with McEwan, as well as commentary from peers, fans and critics. In essence, this film virtually replaces the standard book tour as he won’t be making in-bookstore appearances for his upcoming novel ON CHESIL BEACH.

Powell’s has enlisted Doug Biro, a former creative director at RCA Records and music video director, to direct the first film. It will have its debut on June 1 in Manhattan during BookExpo America, a widely attended annual gathering of publishers, booksellers and authors.

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BEA Announces Speakers List

Sarah — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:06:48 +0000

BookExpo America, taking place between June 1-3 at the Javits Center, has announced that documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, comedian Stephen Colbert, novelist Khaled Hosseini and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will be among the many notable personalities who will be speaking at BEA this year. In announcing the lineup of guests for its well-known and popular Author Breakfast and Saturday Luncheon program, convention officials note that this year’s roster of speakers offers a broad spectrum of accomplished writers from many different fields of endeavor. “Unlike last year, when politics provided a theme for much of our programming, this year we are celebrating the writer and the book,” notes Lance Fensterman, Event Director for BEA. “This group of authors is as strong as any in recent memory at BEA and I’m exceptionally proud to present them to our audience of book lovers.”

The other speakers who will be participating in BEA’s special events programming are Alan Alda, Paul Coelho, Paul Krugman, Ian McEwan, Rosie O’Donnell, Alice Sebold, Lisa See, and Russell Simmons. Alan Greenspan was previously announced as BEA’s Conference Keynote speaker.

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Ian McEwan - GalleyCat

Ian McEwan Wins $10,000 Jerusalem Prize

Thomas Pynchon Defends Ian McEwan Against Plagiarism

Sam Mendes and Oprah Winfrey Land “Netherland” Scriptwriter

Your Booker Prize Shortlist

Halberstam Selected As Next Out of the Book Author

Booker Prize Bulletpoints

Atlantic and Plum Form Summer Reading Partnership

Knighthood for Rushdie

Achebe Wins Booker International Prize

More BEA Links

Will McEwan’s New Book Be Eligible for the Booker?

Authors Get Filmic for Powell’s

BEA Announces Speakers List