Children's writer wins Book of Decade award
A children’s writer turned one of the newest literary prizes on its head today and beat some of the world’s best sellers to win the Irish Book of the Decade title.
Comic fantasy writer Derek Landy topped the online poll for the nation’s favourite book with his children’s novel 'Skulduggery Pleasant'by pulling in thousands of votes in the last month.
“Astonishingly enough, I am not taking this opportunity to gloat, because apparently that isn’t very classy,” he said.
“The wonderful thing about this award is that it was open to every category, and so books for younger readers were as relevant as adult literary novels.”
Landy triumphed over literary heavyweights such as Colm Tobin, Anne Enwright, Edna O’Brien, John McGahern and chick-lit author Cecelia Ahern to win.
'Skulduggery Pleasant' was in the top 10 for the prize going in to the final fortnight of voting, despite failing to attract the attention of many critics. It was up against John Boyne’s 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas', Ross O’Carroll-Kelly’s 'Should Have Got off at Sydney Parad'e, Joseph O’Connor’s'Star of the Sea', and would-be entrepreneur’s guidebook Bill Cullen’s 'It’s a Long way from Penny Apples'.
'Skulduggery Pleasant' tells the story of Stephanie, a feisty 12-year-old girl, and a wise-cracking magician-turned-detective who is dead.
Landy said: “Children’s book sales account for 25% of all books sold in Ireland, but you don’t get to see this kind of equal footing too often.
“It shows a real respect for our next generation of readers and it’s because of these readers that I can accept this award with sincerest gratitude and without apology.
“I do think a little gloating would have made this statement a whole lot funnier, by the way.”
Almost two-thirds of the 50-book shortlist were the works of internationally respected writers.
The online poll saw Landy’s book attract about 5,000 votes in the last month.
Tom Owens, chairman of the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards, said Landy was a worthy winner.
“Not only was Skulduggery Pleasant a huge international success but together with the other three published books in the series, it mobilised many young people not only to start reading but to get passionate about reading,” Mr Owens said.
“Derek’s story is one of the great Irish literary stories of the noughties and he is a worthy winner.”
Alastair Giles, executive director of the awards, said: “Derek Landy has shown us how young readers can be energised to care about books and reading.
“In his short and brilliant career, he has built the Skulduggery series into a juggernaut of popular success on a scale which may yet rival Harry Potter and Twilight.
“In his wake he is bringing along a whole new generation of young readers and that has to be good news for anyone interested in ensuring the Irish literary heritage will continue to grow and develop into the next decade.”
