Donaghue and Murray make longlist Man Book Prize

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: The Arts Council

The Arts Council extends its warmest congratulations to Emma Donoghue and Paul Murray on the news that their respective novels Room and Skippy Dies have made the longlist for the 2010 Man Booker Prize.

Following the announcement, Sarah Bannan, Head of Literature said: “Emma Donoghue’s Room is an incredibly original and haunting work, a revelation from beginning to end. This is a gripping and stunning novel, one which urges the reader to read closely and intensely. Donoghue has a profound gift for language and, with incredible empathy and skill, has created an absolutely convincing and compelling narrative voice. Donoghue is an exceedingly talented writer, and her latest novel’s inclusion on the longlist is merited, unreservedly.”

She continued, “Paul Murray is one of Ireland’s most exciting and talented young writers, and Skippy Dies is a darkly comic and beautifully constructed novel. Epic, gripping and totally original, the novel displays Murray’s gifts for language, characterisation and comedy, and reveals remarkable insights into contemporary Irish society. It is a great pleasure to see his stunning work recognised by the Booker judges, and this recognition will bring much deserved attention to his work.

“The nominations reflect the considerable strength of contemporary Irish literature, demonstrate its extraordinary international reputation and underscore the absolute imperative to continue to support writers and writing in this country.”