Shortlisted for the Booker Prize

Helen's beloved brother Declan is dying. Now, she must join her mother and grandmother in a crumbling old house by the sea, three generations calling an uneasy truce after years of strife, to be by his side. Together with Declan's friends, who know more about him than any family, they must all deal with the past and come to terms with each other.

'It is in his emotional choreography that Toibin shows himself to be an exceptional writer' The Sunday Telegraph

'The most astonishing piece of writing, lyrical in its emotion and spare in its construction . . . Toibin has crafted an unmissable read' The Sunday Herald

A story of resolution, compassion and love, The Blackwater Lightship reveals the intense connection between grandmother, mother and daughter.

About the Author
Colm Toibin was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of eleven novels, including The Master, Brooklyn, and The Magician, and two collections of stories. He has been three times shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Toibin was appointed the Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022-2024.

Reviews
This is the most astonishing piece of writing, lyrical in its emotion and spare in its construction . . . Toibin has crafted an unmissable read. * Sunday Herald *
It is in his emotional choreography that Toibin shows himself to be an exceptional writer. Helen is estranged from both her mother and grandmother . . . Toibin helps them make peace - and he does it beautifully. * Sunday Telegraph *
He writes in spare, powerful prose and he is truly perceptive about family relationships which, at times, makes reading his stories incredibly painful. But this is a beautiful novel. * Belfast News *
We shall be reading and living with The Blackwater Lightship in twenty years. * Independent on Sunday *


Awards
Short-listed for Man Booker Prize 1999 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781035029853
Author Colm Toibin
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 202g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 18mm