Russell Hoban would have been 101 today. Once he walked among us, exactly like a person; now, among tiny dancing giants in the dim red caverns of sleep.
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Grateful for the opportunity this year to conduct research in the Russell Hoban Papers at Yale University.
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@mcfarland.bsky.social

Another +ve review, this one from Library Bookwatch: "A model study of literary criticism, [this book] is a unique, deftly written, and meticulously presented history ... An informative and inherently interesting work of eloquent literary criticism."
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70 years ago today saw Russell Hoban's auspicious debut with Sports Illustrated, supplying art to accompany A.J. Liebling's profile of the infamous Stillman's Gym. It would be another 12 years before Hoban would publish his first novel.
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social

The Atlantic has chosen 65 titles to help foster a child’s lifelong relationship with books and to give these formative works the respect and scrutiny they deserve. Wonderful to see Russell Hoban's Frances represented here. @russellhoban.bsky.social theatln.tc/n94P8cOs

There's new work by Russell Hoban! In the mid-nineties he and Andy Bown of Status Quo hatched a plan for a sci-fi musical. Songs were recorded, but the project stalled. Now, in Russ's 100th birthday year, Bown has resurrected the tapes. Russ would be absolutely chuffed.
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The International Anthony Burgess Foundation has a new episode in their excellent "Ninety-Nine Novels" podcast featuring me talking about Riddley Walker. You can listen here:
anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
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"Hoban’s work often has the feel of a jazz improvisation growing out of whatever has caught his attention… Wend-Walker’s study comes closer to finding that key, to making sense of that mystery, than anyone has a right to expect."
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/11/07/f...

Russell Hoban's masterpiece *Riddley Walker* is 45 years old today!
“In fear and tremmering only not running a way. In emtyness and ready to be fult. Not to lern no body nothing I cant even lern my oan self all I can do is try not to get in front of whats coming.”
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Today my book on Russell Hoban is published. Thank you to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped get me here, and thank you especially to my wonderful wife! @russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social @txst.edu

Author copies have arrived! @russellhoban.bsky.social @txst.edu @mcfarland.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

I've listened to the new BBC radio presentation of Turtle Diary now, and I really loved it. The performances are beautiful—the rhythm, pacing, and tone are just right. I think it captures the essence of the book well enough to make a nice gateway for anyone who’s never read Russell Hoban before. 1/2

Some bookish fun for 2025: an international group of readers/scholars are planning a slate of events in February to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Russell Hoban (author of novels like Riddley Walker & Turtle Diary, plus a slew of classic children’s books). Stay tuned! #Hoban100