Russell Hoban
Russell Conwell Hoban (born February 4, 1925 in Lansdale , Pennsylvania , † December 13, 2011 in London ) was an American writer .
Life
Russel Hoban attended the Museum School of Industrial Art in Philadelphia and served in the US Army from 1943 to 1945. He then worked as an artist in advertising and wrote more than 50 children's books since 1958, including classics such as The Mouse and His Child (1967) and The Frances books (Eng. Fränzi ) (mid to late 1960s). In 1968 he published his first long novel The Mouse and His Child , which is also available in German translation (Der Mäusevater und seine Sohn) . 1973 appeared with The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz (The dt. Mapmakers ) Hobans first novel for adults. Other titles that have also been translated into German are Turtle Diary (Oceanic feelings) , Kleinzeit (German small time ), The Medusa Frequency ( The Medusa frequency ) , Angelica's Grotto (Angelicas Grotto) and Amaryllis Night and Day (Amaryllis Day and Dream) . The novel Oceanic Feelings was made into a film with Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson in the leading roles (screenplay by Harold Pinter ). Russell Hoban has been published by Bloomsbury Publishing since 1999.
Many of Hoban's novels are set in contemporary or future ( foreign ) London. The titles of his novels often include the original English words or word elements of the German language ( free time , pilgrim and stranger ). The fan community, academic and literary world celebrated the 80th birthday of the writer in 2005 in London with a symposium . In the English-speaking world, Russell Hoban is considered one of the most original, daring and imaginative writers ever: "The most original novelist we have" ( The Times ) and "This is what literature is meant to be - exploration without fear." ( Anthony Burgess ).
Hoban moved to London in 1969, where he lived until his death in December 2011.
Works (selection)
The Fränzi series (The Frances books)
- Fränzi goes to sleep (Bedtime for Frances) (1960)
- Fränzi has a little sister (A Baby Sister for Frances) (1964)
- Fränzi likes jam (Bread and jam for Frances) (1966)
- Fränzi's sister has a birthday (A birthday for Frances) (1968)
- Best Friends for Frances (1969)
- Fränzi is Careless (A bargain for Frances) (1970)
Other works that are not yet available in German translation are:
- Riddley Walker (1980)
- Pilgrim Man (1983)
- Stranger (1996)
- Mr Rinyo-Clacton's Offer (1998)
- Amaryllis Night and Day (2001)
- The Bat Tattoo (2002)
- Her Name Was Lola (2003)
- Come Dance With Me (2005)
- Linger Awhile (2006)
- My Tango with Barbara Strozzi (2007)
- Angelica Lost and Found (2010)
- Soonchild (2012)
Film adaptations
- 1977: The Mouse and his Child
- 1985: Oceanic Feelings (Turtle Diary)
Awards
- 1982 John W. Campbell Memorial Award and Ditmar Award for Riddley Walker
Web links
- Literature by and about Russell Hoban in the catalog of the German National Library
- Russell Hoban in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Russell Hoban in the Internet Speculative Fiction Database (English)
- Works by and about Russell Hoban at Open Library
- The Head of Orpheus - Clear and extensive resource on life and work (English)
- The Russell Hoban Hoban Some-Poasyum 2005 , London . (English)
- Riddley Walker Annotations - study page for the novel Riddley Walker (English)
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Hoban, Russell |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Hoban, Russell Conwell (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American writer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 4, 1925 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Lansdale , Pennsylvania |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 13, 2011 |
| Place of death | London |