Circus of Dreams: Adventures in the 1980s Literary World

In the 1980s, a generation of young British writers took the literary novel into new realms, challenging the Establishment writers of the 1950s. This led to a surge in the popularity of serious fiction, with authors becoming like rock stars and the Booker Prize becoming a matter of public interest. John Walsh played many parts during this period, meeting and interviewing literary stars, attending launch parties, and digesting gossip and scandal. His book, Circus of Dreams, is a unique hybrid of personal memoir, oral history, literary investigation, and elegy for a golden age.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

In the vibrant 1980s, a remarkable transformation unfolded within the UK literary scene, marking a seismic shift in the landscape of the literary novel. Within a mere eight-year span, a generation of young British writers emerged, audaciously pushing the boundaries of setting, subject matter, and style, challenging and nearly overshadowing the established writers of the 1950s. This literary renaissance commenced with the influential names of Martin Amis and Ian McEwan, and it swiftly blossomed into a flood of talent, encompassing Julian Barnes, William Boyd, Graham Swift, Salman Rushdie, Jeanette Winterson, and Pat Barker among many others. The ascendance of these newcomers coincided with astonishing changes in the publishing industry, as well as the ways in which readers engaged with and purchased books. Suddenly, authors of serious fiction were treated like rock stars, captivating the public with their fashionable allure, sex appeal, and strategic marketing campaigns. The annual Booker Prize competition gained immense popularity, and Tim Waterstone established the first of a series of revolutionary bookshops. London publishing houses transformed into vibrant playgrounds for innovative entrepreneurs, introducing new genres such as magical realism, feminist literature, post-colonial fiction, and gay fiction to modern readers. Independent houses also began to lavish substantial sums on author advances and extravagant book launches, creating a spectacle of literary extravagance. This period marked a watershed moment in literary culture, ushering in a new era of creativity, experimentation, and cultural diversity. However, the climax of this transformative era was marked by a tragic event that further solidified its significance. A fundamentalist leader, driven by his vehement opposition to Western ideals of free speech, issued a death sentence against Salman Rushdie, making him the most lethal critic in the world. In the midst of this tumultuous period, journalist and author John Walsh assumed various roles, including literary editor, reviewer, interviewer, prize judge, and TV pundit. He had the privilege of meeting and interviewing numerous literary stars, attending the most glamorous launch parties, and immersing himself in the gossip and scandal of the time. In his book, Circus of Dreams, Walsh shares his firsthand experiences and observations, providing a captivating account of the events and personalities that shaped the literary landscape of the 1980s.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 196 x 128 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472133472