Barry Unsworth
Barry Unsworth
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Barry Eric Neville Unsworth was a renowned British novelist, best known for his historical fiction novels that often explored the complexities of human nature.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on January 10, 1930, in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England, Barry Unsworth passed away on June 4, 2012, at the age of 82.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Unsworth was a British novelist, and his writing career spanned over five decades. He is best known for his novels that blended elements of history, fiction, and social commentary.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Sutton Coldfield, Unsworth developed an interest in writing at an early age. He studied English Literature at Birmingham University before pursuing a teaching career. However, it was during his time as a teacher that he began to develop his writing skills, eventually publishing his first novel in 1956.
Major Accomplishments
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Unsworth's writing career was marked by numerous accolades and awards. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Nobel Prize nomination: In 1998, Unsworth was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Man Booker Prize winner: He won the Man Booker Prize in 1992 for his novel "Sacred Hunger".
International recognition: His works have been translated into over 20 languages and have gained international recognition.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Unsworth's most notable works include:
"Sacred Hunger" (1992): A historical novel that explores the theme of slavery in the early 19th century.
"The Rage of Angels" (1975): A novel that delves into the world of politics and power struggles.
"Moon Over Manchester" (1986): A work of fiction set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
Impact and Legacy
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Barry Unsworth's impact on literature cannot be overstated. His works have not only provided readers with a deeper understanding of historical events but also offered insights into the complexities of human nature. His writing style, which often blended elements of history, fiction, and social commentary, has influenced generations of writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Unsworth's works are widely quoted and remembered due to their thought-provoking themes and insightful portrayals of historical events. His ability to weave complex narratives that explore the human condition has made him a beloved figure in literary circles. As a writer who dared to challenge conventional norms, Unsworth continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
Unsworth's legacy extends far beyond his literary contributions. He remains an important voice for those seeking to understand the complexities of history and human nature. His works continue to captivate readers worldwide, ensuring that his impact on literature will endure for generations to come.
Quotes by Barry Unsworth
To function efficiently – to function at all – we must concentrate our effects. Picturing things is bad for business, it is undynamic. It can choke the mind with horror if persisted in. We have graphs and tables and balance sheets and statement of corporate philosophy to help us remain busily and safely in the realm of the abstract and comfort us with a sense of lawful endeavor and lawful profit. And we have maps.
Grief works its own perversions and betrayals; the shape of what we have lost is as subject to corruption as the mortal body...
The kneading of memory makes the dough of fiction, which, as we know, can go on yeasting for ever...
I glimpsed the man’s face with the shine of death on it. They laid him down there in the open. They had brought him there to be close to his death, I understood this also at the same moment. For who would wish to see a companion gasp his last on a jolting cart? We desire to keep the dying and the newly dead close before our eyes so as to give them full meed of pity. Our Lord was brought down to be pitied, on the Cross He was too far away.
I knew little of the world, as the Justice had seen, but I knew that we can lose ourlseves in the parts we play and if this continues too long we will not find our way back again.
A man may go through life and remain ignorant of himself he may think himself as other than he truly is and he may die with this illusion still intact because no circumstance of his life has obliged him to revise it.