Graham Swift facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Graham Swift
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Swift in the early 1980s
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| Born | Graham Colin Swift 4 May 1949 London, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Education | Dulwich College; Queens' College, Cambridge; University of York |
| Notable works | Shuttlecock (1981) Waterland (1983) Last Orders (1996) |
| Notable awards | Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize (1983) Booker Prize (1996) James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1996) |
Graham Swift is a famous British writer. He was born in London, United Kingdom, on May 4, 1949. He went to schools like Dulwich College, Queens' College, Cambridge, and the University of York. He is known for writing many interesting novels.
Contents
Graham Swift's Writing Career
Books Made into Movies
Many of Graham Swift's books have been turned into movies. These include Waterland (1992), Shuttlecock (1993), Last Orders (1996), and Mothering Sunday (2021). It's exciting when a book you love becomes a film!
Award-Winning Novels
Swift's novel Last Orders won the Booker Prize in 1996. It also shared the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction that same year. The Booker Prize is a very important award for writers.
Another famous book by Swift is Waterland (1983). This novel is set in a unique area of England called The Fens. It tells a story about the landscape, history, and a family. Many people think Waterland is one of the best British novels written after World War II. It has even been studied in English classes in schools.
A Touch of Magic in Stories
Graham Swift has talked about how some writers from other countries have influenced his work. He mentioned authors like Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez, and Günter Grass. These writers often add a "magical" or "surreal" feeling to their stories. Swift believes that this kind of influence helps English writers explore new ideas and not just focus on things happening in their own country.
In 1984, Graham Swift became a member of the Royal Society of Literature. This is a special group that celebrates great writers. He also knew the famous poet Ted Hughes. Swift has written some poetry himself, which can be found in his book Making an Elephant: Writing from Within.
Graham Swift's Books
Graham Swift has written many different kinds of books. Here is a list of his published works.
Novels
- The Sweet-Shop Owner (1980)
- Shuttlecock (1981) – This book won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize in 1983.
- Waterland (1983) – This book was considered for the Booker Prize.
- Out of this World (1988)
- Ever After (1992)
- Last Orders (1996) – This book won the Booker Prize in 1996.
- The Light of Day (2003) – This book was also considered for the Man Booker Prize.
- Tomorrow (2007)
- Wish You Were Here (2011)
- Mothering Sunday (2016)
- Here We Are (2020)
Nonfiction Books
- Making an Elephant: Writing from Within (2009) – This book includes some of his poetry.
Short Story Collections
- Learning to Swim and Other Stories (1982)
- England and Other Stories (2014)
- Twelve Post-War Tales (2025)
Individual Short Stories
- "Hinges" was published in The New Yorker magazine on November 14, 2022.
Book to Film Adaptations
Graham Swift's novel Waterland was made into a film in 1992. The movie was directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. It starred actors like Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irons, and Sinéad Cusack.
His novel Mothering Sunday was also made into a film in 2021. This movie featured well-known actors such as Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, and Glenda Jackson.
See also
In Spanish: Graham Swift para niños
