Damon Galgut on James Kelman's How late It Was, How Late
2021 Booker Prize-shortlisted Damon Galgut, author of The Promise, on why he loves Kelman’s 1994 winner How Late It Was, How Late.
James Kelman
James Kelman was born in Glasgow. His novel How Late It Was, How Late won the 1994 Booker Prize.
After leaving school at 15 Kelman worked in the printing industry and as a bus driver. In 1971 he attended creative writing night classes and in 1973 an American company published his first collection of short stories, An Old Pub Near the Angel. His novel Greyhound or Breakfast won the 1987 Cheltenham Prize; A Disaffection won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for the 1989 Booker Prize and Translated Accounts was longlisted for the 2001 Booker Prize. He has also written many plays for stage and radio.
James Kelman was also shortlisted for The Man Booker International Prize in 2009 and 2011.
- Born
Watch his winning moment
Winner The Booker Prize 1994
- By
- James Kelman
- Published by
- Secker & Warburg
James Kelman’s raw, wry vision of human survival in a bureaucratic world is given voice by Sammy, an ex-convict with a penchant for shoplifting.
Other nominated books
James Kelman’s brilliant and complex character study tells the story of one week in a man's life, in which he decides to change the way he lives.
James Kelman offers us a harrowing glimpse into a realm where power is unchecked and liberties are few or nonexistent.
