Bernard MacLaverty
Encyclopedia
Bernard MacLaverty is a writer of fiction. He was born in Belfast
, Northern Ireland, on 14 September 1942, and lived there until 1975 when he moved to Scotland with his wife, Madeline, and four children (Ciara, Claire, John, and Jude). He has been a Medical Laboratory Technician; a mature student at the Queen's University, Belfast; a teacher of English; and, for two years in the mid 1980s, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Aberdeen
.
MacLaverty was educated at St Malachy's College and Queen's University in Belfast, and has written the novels Cal
; Lamb, a novel about faith, relationships and ultimately, love; Grace Notes, which was shortlisted for the 1997 Booker Prize; and The Anatomy School. He has also written five acclaimed collections of short stories, the most recent of which is Matters of Life & Death.
Cal was adapted for the screen
by the author in 1984 starring Helen Mirren
and John Lynch
(Mark Knopfler
composed the film soundtrack). He also adapted Lamb for the screen starring Liam Neeson
, with a soundtrack by Van Morrison
.
He has written versions of his fiction for other media - radio plays, television plays, and screenplays. In 2003 he wrote and directed a short film "Bye-Child" (BAFTA nominated for ‘Best Short Film’) and more recently wrote the libretto for one of Scottish Opera’s Five:15 series - ‘The King’s Conjecture’ with music by Gareth Williams.
He has lived in Scotland since 1975, and currently lives in Glasgow.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland, on 14 September 1942, and lived there until 1975 when he moved to Scotland with his wife, Madeline, and four children (Ciara, Claire, John, and Jude). He has been a Medical Laboratory Technician; a mature student at the Queen's University, Belfast; a teacher of English; and, for two years in the mid 1980s, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
.
MacLaverty was educated at St Malachy's College and Queen's University in Belfast, and has written the novels Cal
Cal (novel)
Cal is a 1983 novel by Bernard MacLaverty, detailing the experiences of a young Irish Catholic involved with the IRA.-Plot summary:One of the major themes of the novel is the way in which the title character attempts to come to terms with taking part in the murder of a reserve police officer by his...
; Lamb, a novel about faith, relationships and ultimately, love; Grace Notes, which was shortlisted for the 1997 Booker Prize; and The Anatomy School. He has also written five acclaimed collections of short stories, the most recent of which is Matters of Life & Death.
Cal was adapted for the screen
Cal (film)
Cal is a 1984 British drama film directed by Pat O'Connor, and starring John Lynch and Helen Mirren. Based on the novella Cal written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script, the film was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where Helen Mirren won the award for Best Actress.-Plot:Cal...
by the author in 1984 starring Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren, DBE is an English actor. She has won an Academy Award for Best Actress, four SAG Awards, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and two Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Awards.-Early life and family:...
and John Lynch
John Lynch (actor)
John Lynch is an Irish actor from Northern Ireland.-Biography:John Lynch was born in the United Kingdom and moved to his father's native home in Corrinshego, County Armagh, near Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland as a child. He attended St Colman's College, Newry, a Catholic school...
(Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
composed the film soundtrack). He also adapted Lamb for the screen starring Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
, with a soundtrack by Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
.
He has written versions of his fiction for other media - radio plays, television plays, and screenplays. In 2003 he wrote and directed a short film "Bye-Child" (BAFTA nominated for ‘Best Short Film’) and more recently wrote the libretto for one of Scottish Opera’s Five:15 series - ‘The King’s Conjecture’ with music by Gareth Williams.
He has lived in Scotland since 1975, and currently lives in Glasgow.
Published works
- Secrets & Other Stories Blackstaff Press (1977)
- Lamb Cape /Blackstaff Press (1980)
- A Time to Dance & Other Stories Cape /Blackstaff Press (1982)
- CalCal (novel)Cal is a 1983 novel by Bernard MacLaverty, detailing the experiences of a young Irish Catholic involved with the IRA.-Plot summary:One of the major themes of the novel is the way in which the title character attempts to come to terms with taking part in the murder of a reserve police officer by his...
Cape /Blackstaff Press (1983) - The Great Profundo & Other Stories Cape /Blackstaff Press (1987)
- Walking the Dog & Other Stories Cape /Blackstaff Press (1994)
- Grace NotesGrace NotesGrace Notes is a novel by Bernard MacLaverty, first published in 1997.-Plot summary:The book centers around the postpartum depression of its female protagonist, Catherine McKenna, a Northern Irish music teacher and composer living in Scotland...
Cape /Blackstaff Press (1997) - The Anatomy School Cape/Blackstaff Press (2001)
- Matters of Life & Death & Other Stories Cape (2006)
External links
- Aosdána biographical note
- http://literature.britishcouncil.org/bernard-maclaverty British Council, Literature site]
- Official web site
- http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=751
- Writing page BBC Northern Ireland