Kilmarnock author publishes his first novel

Aug 14 2009 by Colin Rutherford, Kilmarnock Standard

KILMARNOCK-raised Liam McIlvanney this month publishes his first novel.

And the university professor is very much following in a family tradition. He is the son of famous author William McIlvanney.

Liam himself has already gained literary success.

His earlier work ‘Burns the Radical’ won the first Saltire book award in 2002.

Now Faber have published ‘All the Colours of the Town’, described by its publishers as “not only a thrilling story of sectarian violence and buried history, but also a gripping and unnerving exploration of prejudice and hatred”.

Set in Glasgow and Belfast the novel has been hailed as “an authentic, atmospheric and ambitious debut” by award-winning crime writer Val McDermid.

Other writers to praise the book include Gordon Burn, who died recently.

Liam, who previously lectured at the University of Aberdeen is now Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

His work has appeared in the Times Literary Supplement and the London Review of Books

Liam lives in Dunedin with his wife and three children.