James Kelman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Kelman
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Kelman speaks to Librairie Mollat about La route de Lafayette, French-language version of Dirt Road, in 2019
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| Born | 9 June 1946 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Genre | Stream of consciousness, absurdist fiction, paranoid fiction |
| Notable works | A Disaffection (1989) How Late It Was, How Late (1994) Kieron Smith, Boy (2008) |
| Notable awards | Booker Prize 1994: How Late It Was, How Late Saltire Awards 2008: Kieron Smith, Boy |
| Spouse | Marie Connors, m. 1969 |
James Kelman (born 9 June 1946) is a famous Scottish writer. He writes novels, short stories, plays, and essays. His stories often explore the thoughts and feelings of everyday people, especially those from working-class backgrounds. Many of his tales are set in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland.
Kelman's writing style is unique. He often uses a technique called "stream of consciousness." This means he writes down a character's thoughts as they happen, almost like you're inside their head. His stories often show characters struggling with rules or how they fit into society.
James Kelman has won many important awards for his writing. His novel A Disaffection was nominated for the Booker Prize and won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1989. He then won the top Booker Prize in 1994 for his book How Late It Was, How Late. In 2008, his novel Kieron Smith, Boy won two major Scottish literary awards. In 2024, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Saltire Society for his amazing contributions to Scottish literature.
Contents
Life and Writing Journey
James Kelman was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in areas like Govan and Drumchapel. He left school at 15. When he was about 21 or 22, he decided to become a writer.
Kelman wanted to write stories that came from his own life and community. He aimed to write as one of his own people, staying connected to his background. He was influenced by different writing styles, including European and American authors. Some writers who inspired him include Albert Camus, Franz Kafka, and James Joyce.
Short Stories
James Kelman started publishing his short stories in the 1970s. He joined a writing group in Glasgow where he developed his unique style. His stories often use a first-person narrative, meaning the story is told from one character's point of view. He also used speech patterns from Glasgow, making his characters sound very real.
Kelman's writing style has influenced many other Scottish writers. In 1998, he won the Stakis Prize for "Scottish Writer of the Year" for his short story collection The Good Times. One of his short stories, "Greyhound For Breakfast," was even made into a film in 2012.
Novels
Kelman's first published novel was The Busconductor Hines in 1984. His 1989 novel A Disaffection was a big success, winning the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. He then won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1994 for How Late It Was, How Late. This award made him very well-known around the world.
His 2008 novel Kieron Smith, Boy also received important awards. Kelman's most recent novel, God's Teeth and Other Phenomena (2022), has been praised as an "astonishing book." It shows that James Kelman is a truly global literary figure.
Plays
James Kelman has also written plays. His play Hardie and Baird: The Last Days was performed in Edinburgh in 1990. This play was about a historical event called the Radical War of 1820.
Community Involvement
James Kelman is known for being a writer who cares deeply about social issues. He is also a cultural and political activist. This means he uses his voice to support causes he believes in.
When Glasgow was named "City of Culture," Kelman was part of a group called the Workers' City. This group criticized how the city's history was presented. They felt that the city focused too much on wealthy merchants and not enough on the working-class people who built Glasgow. They also campaigned against actions that they felt harmed the city's heritage and its people.
Kelman has always supported social justice. He believes in helping those who are struggling. He has spoken out for unemployed workers and supported community centers. He is not part of a political party, but he is a libertarian socialist. This means he believes in freedom and equality for everyone, and he often questions traditional political systems.
He has also been involved in organizing book fairs that highlight diverse voices and stories. Kelman believes that understanding history from the perspective of working-class people is very important.
Even though he has some concerns about nationalism, Kelman supports Scottish independence. He believes that people should have the right to decide their own future.
Personal Life
In 1969, James Kelman married Marie Connors. They live in Glasgow with their children. Kelman has also lived in other places, including London, Manchester, Australia, and America.
Awards and Recognitions
- 1987: Cheltenham Prize for Literature (for Greyhound for Breakfast)
- 1989: James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for A Disaffection)
- 1994: Booker Prize (for How Late It Was, How Late)
- 1994: Writers’ Guild Award for Best Fiction (for How Late It Was, How Late)
- 1998: Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award
- 1998: Stakis Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year (for The Good Times)
- 2009: Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year Award (for Kieron Smith, Boy)
- 2009: Aye Write Prize (for Kieron Smith, Boy)
- 2009: Saltire Award (for Kieron Smith, Boy)
- 2024: Saltire Society Lifetime Achievement Award
Images for kids
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Kelman speaking about his book Dirt Road in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: James Kelman para niños
