Alan Sillitoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Sillitoe
FRSL
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Sillitoe in May 2009
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| Born | 4 March 1928 Nottingham, England |
| Died | 25 April 2010 (aged 82) London, England |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Notable works | Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1958); "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" (1959) |
| Spouse | Ruth Fainlight |
Alan Sillitoe (born March 4, 1928 – died April 25, 2010) was an English writer. He is famous for his stories about the lives of working-class people in Britain. He was sometimes called one of the "angry young men" writers of the 1950s. This group of writers often wrote about feeling unhappy with society after World War II.
Sillitoe didn't like this label, and neither did many other writers it was given to. His most well-known works are his first novel, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, and his short story "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner". Both of these stories were later made into popular films.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Work
Alan Sillitoe was born in Nottingham, England. His parents were from the working class. His father, Christopher Sillitoe, worked at the Raleigh Bicycle Company factory. This is the same factory where the main character in Alan's first novel worked.
His family often struggled with money. Alan left school when he was 14 years old. He then worked at the Raleigh factory for four years. In his free time, he loved to read many books.
Military Service and Becoming a Writer
In 1942, Alan joined the Air Training Corps. Later, he joined the Royal Air Force. He served as a wireless operator in Malaya during a time of conflict there.
After returning to Britain, he became unwell. He spent a long time in a hospital. When he was 21, he received a small pension. He then lived in France and Spain for seven years to get better.
In 1955, while living in Mallorca, he started writing his first novel. This was Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, which came out in 1958. He was influenced by the simple writing style of Ernest Hemingway. The book tells the story of a young factory worker and his life.
Famous Works and Films
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning showed the feelings of disappointment in Britain after the war. It also highlighted the limited chances for working-class people. The book was made into a film in 1960. Alan Sillitoe wrote the screenplay for the movie himself.
His short story, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, won an award in 1959. This story is about a young man in a special school for troubled youth who is a talented runner. This story was also made into a film in 1962. Alan Sillitoe also wrote the screenplay for this film.
Later Life and Recognition
Alan Sillitoe married the American poet Ruth Fainlight in 1959. They had a child named David and later adopted another child, Susan.
In the 1960s, Alan Sillitoe was invited to visit the Soviet Union. He was seen as someone who spoke for working people in the West. However, during a visit in 1968, he spoke out against human rights problems he saw there.
He received honorary degrees from universities in Nottingham. These awards recognized his important contributions to literature. Alan Sillitoe wrote many novels and poems throughout his life. His autobiography, Life Without Armour, tells about his difficult childhood.
In 1997, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. This is a special honor for writers.
Death
Alan Sillitoe passed away from cancer on April 25, 2010. He was 82 years old. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.
Works
Alan Sillitoe wrote many different kinds of books. He wrote novels, short stories, and poems. He also wrote for children and created screenplays for films.
Writing for children
- The City Adventures of Marmalade Jim, 1967
- Big John and the Stars, 1977
- The Incredible Fencing Fleas, 1978
- Marmalade Jim at the Farm, 1980
- Marmalade Jim and the Fox, 1984
Film scripts
- Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
- Counterpoint (1967)
- The Ragman's Daughter (1972)
See also
In Spanish: Alan Sillitoe para niños
