JUST CONFIRMED - Costa Prize Winner and Walter Scott Prize nominated author, Sebastian Barry is joining us in Melrose, not only for the award ceremony but as part of our panel event, on Historical Fiction…..
‘Sebastian Barry’s novel’, On Canaan’s Side, is described as a heart-breaking novel spanning a lifetime. Narrated by Lilly Bere, On Canaan's Side opens as she mourns the loss of her grandson, Bill. The story then goes back to the moment she was forced to flee Dublin, at the end of the First World War, and follows her life through into the new world of America, a world filled with both hope and danger.
At once epic and intimate, Lilly's narrative unfurls as she tries to make sense of the sorrows and troubles of her life and of the people whose lives she has touched. Spanning nearly seven decades, it is a novel of memory, war, family-ties and love, which once again displays Sebastian Barry's exquisite prose and gift for storytelling Among many of the wonderful reviews:
‘Stunningly poetic ... On Canaan's Side can be celebrated for the beauty, wisdom and pleasure it provides.’
Adam O'Riordan, Sunday Telegraph
‘Compelling, nourishing, sustained storytelling is the hallmark of Sebastian Barry's writing ... The quietening, closing chapters are amongst the most moving and beautiful you will read the year - or any other.’
Niall McMonagle, Irish Times
‘A work of great lyrical beauty, a big-hearted story of a woman at the end of her long and difficult life.’
Amy Raphael, The Times
About the Author
Sebastian Barry was born in Dublin in 1955. He has written numerous novels as well as plays and poetry. He has twice, been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, firstly for his novel A Long Long Way in 2005 and then for The Secret Scripture in 2008, which went on the win The Costa Book of the Year and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, his latest book, On Canaan’s Side is shortlisted for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.
He lives in Wicklow with his wife and three children.
Sebstian Barry will be part of the Walter Scott Prize Award ceremony - Saturday 16th June at 1.30pm
Sebastian will also be taking part in our Historical fiction panel event - Saturday 16th June at 3.00pm
