Our Fathers (novel)
Encyclopedia
Our Fathers is the debut novel
by Scottish
novelist Andrew O'Hagan
. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (1999). It was also nominated for the Whitbread First Novel Award and the IMPAC Literary Award
.
The book focuses on James Bawn revisiting his dying grandfather Hugh Bawn in Ayrshire
and a brief reunion with his alcoholic father Robert Bawn. It is James who tells the story of his family, heirs of immigrants from Ireland. Hugh, known as "Mr Housing", had been responsible for the building of tower block
s in Glasgow
and across south-west Scotland
to replace earlier slums, but these blocks are now in turn being demolished. All three generations of the family followed lives of pride and depression, of nationality and alcohol, of Catholic faith and the end of left-wing
idealism.
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
by Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
novelist Andrew O'Hagan
Andrew O'Hagan
Andrew O'Hagan, FRSL is a Scottish novelist and non-fiction author. He is also an Editor at Large of Esquire and is currently a creative writing fellow at King's College London. He was selected by for inclusion in their 2003 list of the top 20 young British novelists. His novels appear...
. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (1999). It was also nominated for the Whitbread First Novel Award and the IMPAC Literary Award
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is an international literary award for a work of fiction, jointly sponsored by the city of Dublin, Ireland and the company IMPAC. At €100,000 it is one of the richest literary prizes in the world...
.
The book focuses on James Bawn revisiting his dying grandfather Hugh Bawn in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
and a brief reunion with his alcoholic father Robert Bawn. It is James who tells the story of his family, heirs of immigrants from Ireland. Hugh, known as "Mr Housing", had been responsible for the building of tower block
Tower block
A tower block, high-rise, apartment tower, office tower, apartment block, or block of flats, is a tall building or structure used as a residential and/or office building...
s in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and across south-west Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to replace earlier slums, but these blocks are now in turn being demolished. All three generations of the family followed lives of pride and depression, of nationality and alcohol, of Catholic faith and the end of left-wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
idealism.