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Russell Hoban would have been 101 today. Once he walked among us, exactly like a person; now, among tiny dancing giants in the dim red caverns of sleep.
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Grateful for the opportunity this year to conduct research in the Russell Hoban Papers at Yale University.
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@mcfarland.bsky.social
Another +ve review, this one from Library Bookwatch: "A model study of literary criticism, [this book] is a unique, deftly written, and meticulously presented history ... An informative and inherently interesting work of eloquent literary criticism."
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social
70 years ago today saw Russell Hoban's auspicious debut with Sports Illustrated, supplying art to accompany A.J. Liebling's profile of the infamous Stillman's Gym. It would be another 12 years before Hoban would publish his first novel.
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social
The Atlantic has chosen 65 titles to help foster a child’s lifelong relationship with books and to give these formative works the respect and scrutiny they deserve. Wonderful to see Russell Hoban's Frances represented here. @russellhoban.bsky.social theatln.tc/n94P8cOs
25.11.2025 22:11 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
There's new work by Russell Hoban! In the mid-nineties he and Andy Bown of Status Quo hatched a plan for a sci-fi musical. Songs were recorded, but the project stalled. Now, in Russ's 100th birthday year, Bown has resurrected the tapes. Russ would be absolutely chuffed.
@russellhoban.bsky.social
The International Anthony Burgess Foundation has a new episode in their excellent "Ninety-Nine Novels" podcast featuring me talking about Riddley Walker. You can listen here:
anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
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"Hoban’s work often has the feel of a jazz improvisation growing out of whatever has caught his attention… Wend-Walker’s study comes closer to finding that key, to making sense of that mystery, than anyone has a right to expect."
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/11/07/f...
Russell Hoban's masterpiece *Riddley Walker* is 45 years old today!
“In fear and tremmering only not running a way. In emtyness and ready to be fult. Not to lern no body nothing I cant even lern my oan self all I can do is try not to get in front of whats coming.”
@russellhoban.bsky.social
Today my book on Russell Hoban is published. Thank you to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped get me here, and thank you especially to my wonderful wife! @russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social @txst.edu
26.09.2025 23:02 — 👍 9 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
Author copies have arrived! @russellhoban.bsky.social @txst.edu @mcfarland.bsky.social
25.09.2025 19:43 — 👍 6 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
I've listened to the new BBC radio presentation of Turtle Diary now, and I really loved it. The performances are beautiful—the rhythm, pacing, and tone are just right. I think it captures the essence of the book well enough to make a nice gateway for anyone who’s never read Russell Hoban before. 1/2
16.01.2025 21:17 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
A row of four images side by side. On the left is a black and white author photo of Russell Hoban, taken by his sister Tana. Next is the cover of the novel Riddley Walker, with an illustration of a puppet show booth in a barren landscape. Next is the book cover for the movie tie-in edition of the novel Turtle Diary, with a still image from the film showing Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley crouching next to a large sea turtle in shallow water. On the left is the cover of the children's book Bread and Jam for Frances, with a drawing of the character Frances the badger happily eating a piece of bread with jam on it, while holding a jar of jam in her other hand.
Some bookish fun for 2025: an international group of readers/scholars are planning a slate of events in February to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Russell Hoban (author of novels like Riddley Walker & Turtle Diary, plus a slew of classic children’s books). Stay tuned! #Hoban100
06.01.2025 20:50 — 👍 25 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 1
