Kerry author’s debut novel one of only four shortlisted for prestigious ‘James Tait Black’ literary prize

A TRALEE author said this week that he was “genuinely shocked” to find out that his debut novel had been shortlisted for a prestigious literary prize.

Noel O’Regan, author of ‘Though The Bodies Fall’, found out last week that his book – which was released in August – is one of only four novels shortlisted for the James Tait Black fiction prize, worth £10,000 to the winner.

Speaking to The Kerryman about the news, Noel said that he could not wrap his head around the news when he first heard it.

“I was genuinely shocked by the news, given the calibre and prestige of the award. Some of my favourite authors have won it over the years – Cormac McCarthy, Ian McEwan, John Banville, Zadie Smith – so it really is an honour to be shortlisted,” he said, adding that while he doesn’t believe he’ll win, even getting shortlisted for an award like this with his debut book is a win in itself.

For those unfamiliar with the book, it tells the story of Micheál Burns, who lives alone in his family’s bungalow at the end of Kerry Head in Ireland.

It is a picturesque place, but the cliffs have a darker side to them: for generations, they have been a suicide black spot.

Micheál’s mother saw the saving of these lost souls – these visitors – as her spiritual duty, and now, in the wreckage of his life, Micheál finds himself continuing her work.

When his sisters tell him that they want to sell the land, he must choose between his siblings and the visitors, a future or a past.

The James Tait Black Memorial Prizes are literary prizes awarded for literature written in the English language.

Based at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the prizes were founded in 1919 and are awarded in three categories: Fiction, Biography and Drama.

The other novels shortlisted are: Lori and Joe by Amy Arnold (Prototype Publishing); Open Throat by Henry Hoke (Macmillan Publishers); and Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright (And Other Stories).

The shortlists will be re-read, annotated, and discussed by students and scholars to decide the winners of both prizes, which will be announced by the University of Edinburgh in May.