The Waterstones Interview: Mark Haddon on The Porpoise

In an exclusive interview for Waterstones, Mark Haddon discusses his new novel, The Porpoise, the inspiration of Shakespeare’s Pericles and stories that never grow old. 1. The Porpoise moves between contemporary and classical re-tellings of Shakespeare’s ‘Pericles, Prince of Tyre’ – itself an adaptation of much older story. Why did this tale, that seems so resonant in our storytelling […]

Mary Jean Chan shortlisted for Forward Prize’s Best Single Poem 2019

2019 Forward Prize Shortlist announcement We’re delighted to announce the 15 poets shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry 2019. The 28th annual Forward Prizes will be awarded on 20th October 2019 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre. Read the press release here. See the nation’s most coveted poetry prizes awarded live on stage by the chair […]

Bernie McGill and Michael Hughes shortlisted for EU prize for literature

EU Prize for Literature EWC, EIBF and FEP coordinate the jury organisation and selection procedures in the participating countries. Jury members are appointed by EIBF, EWC and FEP Members. In 2019, EWC coordinated the organisation of the juries of Finland, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Romania, EIBF those of France, Italy, Ukraine and UK and FEP those […]

Max Porter’s LANNY: Weirdo Possible Genius Child

Sometimes you just have to think of England. It may be embarrassing, it may be awful, but it exists. Max Porter’s Lanny – his second novel – is partly about an idea of England. It’s set in an unnamed village, ‘fewer than fifty redbrick cottages’, within commuting distance of London, a place that is ‘a cruciform grid with […]

The Porpoise by Mark Haddon review – a transcendent, transporting experience

Adrenaline-fuelled adventure meets Shakespeare in a serious contender for novel of the year [dropcap letter=”Y”]ou suspect that whatever he writes, Mark Haddon will always be best known for his 2003 bestseller The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. But there were strong signs in his 2016 collection The Pier Falls – in which he describes a […]

Streetcat Bob to supercharge Sky Kids app

Sky has issued a callout for “on-the-go” short-form ideas to supercharge its Sky Kids app. Lucy Murphy, the pay-TV broadcaster’s head of kids’ content, is seeking bite-size ideas for originals or spin-offs of existing IP in four areas: music/songs, comedy, how-to/tutorials and mini adventures. She unveiled Shooting Script Films/King Rollo Films’ Streetcat Bob, a 20 x 90-second order for […]

Patrick Melrose wins two Baftas

“Patrick Melrose”, based on Edward St Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical novels, received the BAFTA for Mini-Series and Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the titular character, won the first BAFTA of his career for Leading Actor. The series was adapted by author David Nicholls, who also received a BAFTA TV Craft award for best drama writer last month for […]

The Porpoise by Mark Haddon: an opening to die for

Mark Haddon is one of our most imaginative storytellers, whose work has been read and enjoyed by millions. His new novel The Porpoise leaps from the modern era to ancient times as the members of a shattered family, adrift in a violent world, journey towards a place called home. This is the opening passage. Click here to […]