Teaming up with the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane Writers Festival bring 2015 Booker Prize author Marlon James to Brisbane for one-night only this May.
Born in Jamaica in 1970, James graduated from the University of the West Indies with a degree in literature and has released three top selling books to date. The first being 'John Crow's Devil' – which went through 78 rejections before being published – and his latest being, 'A Brief History Of Seven Killings'. James is not only the first Jamaican to win the Man Booker Prize in its 47 year history, but has now sold the rights to television producers HBO for a series adaptation of 'A Brief History Of Seven Killings' and is now in the process of writing the script.
Throughout the novel James tells a story of the attempted assassination of iconic Jamaican singer Bob Marley (referred to as the singer) by seven men from West Kingston. The story goes on to state the singer performed the 'Smile Jamaica' concert and didn't return for two years.
Incorporating several voices to tell the story, it forms an imagined oral biography told by ghosts, witnesses, killers, members of parliament, beauty queens, FBI and CIA agents, reporters and Keith Richards' drug dealer. Marlon James isn't afraid to push boundaries, stating in a Rolling Stones interview: “I could have easily written a story that made sure the right people don't get offended, but I'd rather not tackle the topic at all than do it half-assed.”
Acting CEO and Artistic Director Julie Beveridge says, “Brisbane Writers Festival is much more than that one glorious week in September, so it is with great pleasure that we announce yet another exceptional author is coming to Brisbane.”
Described as 'one of literatures most electrifying new voices', James will be presenting a conversation that explores his bold and creative imagination.
Marlon James speaks at the State Library of Queensland 17 May.
