Russell Hoban
@russellhoban.bsky.social
Official account for author Russell Hoban (1925–2011), author of Riddley Walker, Turtle Diary, The Mouse and His Child, Frances the Badger, etc. https://russellhoban.org/
Maintained by:
@daveawl.bsky.social
@thoughtcat.bsky.social
Maintained by:
@daveawl.bsky.social
@thoughtcat.bsky.social
Pinned
Hello, Bluesky! This is the official Bluesky account for author Russell Hoban (1925–2011), maintained by the people behind the authorized website at RussellHoban.org. We’ll be sharing news, commentary, quotations, and lots of info about the upcoming #Hoban100 centenary events!
Reposted by Russell Hoban
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.
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
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.
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
Reposted by Russell Hoban
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...
@mcfarland.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@anthonyburgess.bsky.social
anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
@mcfarland.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@anthonyburgess.bsky.social
Ninety-Nine Novels: Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban - The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
In 1984, Anthony Burgess published Ninety-Nine Novels, a selection of his favourite novels in English since 1939. The list is typically idiosyncratic, and shows the breadth of Burgess’s interest in fi...
anthonyburgess.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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...
@mcfarland.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@anthonyburgess.bsky.social
anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
@mcfarland.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@anthonyburgess.bsky.social
Reposted by Russell Hoban
In A BARGAIN FOR FRANCES (1970) by Russell and Lillian Hoban, the titular character discovers and deploys both anti-capitalist and abolitionist principles by imagining and enacting a restitution of morality without resorting to policing, punishment, or carcerality. In this essay I will
October 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
In A BARGAIN FOR FRANCES (1970) by Russell and Lillian Hoban, the titular character discovers and deploys both anti-capitalist and abolitionist principles by imagining and enacting a restitution of morality without resorting to policing, punishment, or carcerality. In this essay I will
Reposted by Russell Hoban
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.”
@russellhoban.bsky.social
“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.”
@russellhoban.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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.”
@russellhoban.bsky.social
“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.”
@russellhoban.bsky.social
Reposted by Russell Hoban
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
September 26, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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
Congrats to author Graeme Wend-Walker on the arrival of his brand-new book about Russ! The book is entitled "Russell Hoban: Faithful to the Strange" and it's already available at booksellers. The cover features a painting Russ loved—the head of Orpheus with his lyre as depicted by Odilon Redon.
September 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Congrats to author Graeme Wend-Walker on the arrival of his brand-new book about Russ! The book is entitled "Russell Hoban: Faithful to the Strange" and it's already available at booksellers. The cover features a painting Russ loved—the head of Orpheus with his lyre as depicted by Odilon Redon.
Reposted by Russell Hoban
September 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Russell Hoban
In 2023, wordsSHIFTminds released a 22-track double album inspired by author Russell Hoban's 1996 science fiction novel 'Fremder'. (**)+<0>% #music #instrumental #synthwave #synths #downtempo #electronica #distrokid #youtube #bandcamp #applemusic #itunes #Hoban100
Fremder, by wordsSHIFTminds
22 track album
wordsshiftminds.bandcamp.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In 2023, wordsSHIFTminds released a 22-track double album inspired by author Russell Hoban's 1996 science fiction novel 'Fremder'. (**)+<0>% #music #instrumental #synthwave #synths #downtempo #electronica #distrokid #youtube #bandcamp #applemusic #itunes #Hoban100
Reposted by Russell Hoban
What a book for a child to read
September 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM
What a book for a child to read
Reposted by Russell Hoban
'Still the child stared, and saw between the dots of color blank white space, emptiness that seemed to flow back toward him from the smallest dog out through the largest.
“Nothing,” said the mouse child. “I can see the nothing between the dots"'
“Nothing,” said the mouse child. “I can see the nothing between the dots"'
September 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
'Still the child stared, and saw between the dots of color blank white space, emptiness that seemed to flow back toward him from the smallest dog out through the largest.
“Nothing,” said the mouse child. “I can see the nothing between the dots"'
“Nothing,” said the mouse child. “I can see the nothing between the dots"'
Reposted by Russell Hoban
Annals of half-remembered children's tales:
"there was an old story I read as a child about a toy that had a windup mechanism, and the story revolved around how this toy could end up winding itself. Any ideas?"
There is a scene which has stuck with me over the decades...
"there was an old story I read as a child about a toy that had a windup mechanism, and the story revolved around how this toy could end up winding itself. Any ideas?"
There is a scene which has stuck with me over the decades...
September 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Annals of half-remembered children's tales:
"there was an old story I read as a child about a toy that had a windup mechanism, and the story revolved around how this toy could end up winding itself. Any ideas?"
There is a scene which has stuck with me over the decades...
"there was an old story I read as a child about a toy that had a windup mechanism, and the story revolved around how this toy could end up winding itself. Any ideas?"
There is a scene which has stuck with me over the decades...
A group of artists are staging a performance inspired by Russell Hoban’s Riddley Walker in Canterbury, UK on 12th June. Participants in the project include Russ's son Wieland Hoban. Find out more (and check out a video clip) on the official Hoban site. #Hoban100
Riddley Walker-inspired performance in Canterbury on 12th June
A group of artists are staging a performance inspired by Russell Hoban’s 1980 novel Riddley Walker in Canterbury, UK on 12th June. “This unique event is part of an exploration of the po…
russellhoban.org
May 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A group of artists are staging a performance inspired by Russell Hoban’s Riddley Walker in Canterbury, UK on 12th June. Participants in the project include Russ's son Wieland Hoban. Find out more (and check out a video clip) on the official Hoban site. #Hoban100
Very exciting!
McFarland now has a page up for my forthcoming book on Russell Hoban!
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/russ...
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@mcfarland.bsky.social
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/russ...
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@mcfarland.bsky.social
March 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Very exciting!
Reposted by Russell Hoban
Old poster for Russell Hoban’s The Carrier Frequency (1984) spotted in a band practice space in Leeds (Mook in Meanwood) @russellhoban.bsky.social
March 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Old poster for Russell Hoban’s The Carrier Frequency (1984) spotted in a band practice space in Leeds (Mook in Meanwood) @russellhoban.bsky.social
Reposted by Russell Hoban
If someone twisted my arm and forced my to choose a favourite book, this would be right up there.
It was such a perfect reading experience that I've not read it again.
And that's not my usual strategy.
I've read and reread my other book loves so much I often know what the next sentence will be.
It was such a perfect reading experience that I've not read it again.
And that's not my usual strategy.
I've read and reread my other book loves so much I often know what the next sentence will be.
An astonishing book. I passed it to the boy last night and he’s devouring it. Or Arga Warga-ing it. #RiddleyWalker #RussellHoban #Books
February 25, 2025 at 9:48 AM
If someone twisted my arm and forced my to choose a favourite book, this would be right up there.
It was such a perfect reading experience that I've not read it again.
And that's not my usual strategy.
I've read and reread my other book loves so much I often know what the next sentence will be.
It was such a perfect reading experience that I've not read it again.
And that's not my usual strategy.
I've read and reread my other book loves so much I often know what the next sentence will be.
Reposted by Russell Hoban
So we're on the Book Shepherd with our favourite books about niche London... @mattfromlondon.bsky.social and @lloydshepherd.com are both on the list...
shepherd.com/best-books/t...
shepherd.com/best-books/t...
The best books about the less obvious bits of London
Sally Butcher shares the 5 best books on the less obvious bits of London. Have you read Turtle Diary?
shepherd.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
So we're on the Book Shepherd with our favourite books about niche London... @mattfromlondon.bsky.social and @lloydshepherd.com are both on the list...
shepherd.com/best-books/t...
shepherd.com/best-books/t...
Looking forward to this book!
Cover reveal! I'm delighted McFarland has chosen to use one of my suggestions. Odilon Redon turns up frequently in Hoban's writing. This painting (Orpheus, c. 1903-1910) likely inspired the Head of Orpheus character in The Medusa Frequency.
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social
February 22, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Looking forward to this book!
Reposted by Russell Hoban
And many thanks to @backlisted.bsky.social for the inspiration for the purchase. ‘New old episode up now. Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban’
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/232
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/232
February 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
And many thanks to @backlisted.bsky.social for the inspiration for the purchase. ‘New old episode up now. Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban’
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/232
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/232
Imagine getting to hear Audre Lorde reading from "Bedtime for Frances!"
"Storyland Hours Tomorrow At Library," Mount Vernon Argus, Jan 27, 1961. Details a children's story hour hosted by Audre Lorde during her time working at Mount Vernon Public Library.
February 20, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Imagine getting to hear Audre Lorde reading from "Bedtime for Frances!"
Reposted by Russell Hoban
The Mouse and His Child (1977) is one of my favorite obscure animated films. It was produced/distributed by Sanrio and co-directed by Fred Wolf. Wolf also directed "The Point (1971)" but is most famous for his "Mr. Owl" Tootsie Roll commercial. The 70's was full of weird, experimental gems like this
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the Last Visible Dog scene from a Mouse and His Child youtu.be/3EiF3KLpTS0
The Last Visible Dog
YouTube video by Pobotrol
youtu.be
February 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The Mouse and His Child (1977) is one of my favorite obscure animated films. It was produced/distributed by Sanrio and co-directed by Fred Wolf. Wolf also directed "The Point (1971)" but is most famous for his "Mr. Owl" Tootsie Roll commercial. The 70's was full of weird, experimental gems like this
Reposted by Russell Hoban
(several decades late to it, but Riddley Walker is incredible)
February 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
(several decades late to it, but Riddley Walker is incredible)
Reposted by Russell Hoban
O what we ben! And what we come to!
February 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
O what we ben! And what we come to!
Reposted by Russell Hoban
Turtle Diary
- Russell Hoban
Stream from BBC Radio 4.
- Russell Hoban
Stream from BBC Radio 4.
BBC Sounds - Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban on BBC Sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Turtle Diary
- Russell Hoban
Stream from BBC Radio 4.
- Russell Hoban
Stream from BBC Radio 4.
Reposted by Russell Hoban
Best book I’ve read so far this year
February 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Best book I’ve read so far this year
Reposted by Russell Hoban
This was fun and the recording will make its way to the @russellhoban.bsky.social site soon.
Hoban100: Riddley Walker Panel kalaity.com/2025/02/09/h... today! Online! Free!
Hoban100: Riddley Walker Panel
Artwork by Juan Esguerra Panel takes place at 7:30pm UK (2:30pm NY ) Free to the public via Zoom at this link: RussellHoban.org presents a one-hour online panel discussion of Riddley Walker, …
kalaity.com
February 16, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This was fun and the recording will make its way to the @russellhoban.bsky.social site soon.