Birdy (novel)

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Birdy
BirdyNovel.jpg
Front cover of first edition
Author William Wharton
Cover artist Fred Marcellino
LanguageEnglish
Publisher Knopf
Publication date
December 1978
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
[ citation needed ]
Media typePrint & Audio
Pages309
ISBN 978-0-394-42569-6

Birdy is the debut novel of William Wharton, who was more than 50 years old when it was published. It won the U.S. National Book Award in category First Novel. [1] Birdy was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1980, [2] ultimately losing to The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer. [3]

Birdy was adapted as a film of the same name, directed by Alan Parker and starring Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage.

The novel has said to have been a lyrical influence on the song "The King of Birds" by American alternative rock band R.E.M. [4]

Naomi Wallace, a poet and playwright, adapted Birdy for the stage in 1997.

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References

  1. "National Book Awards – 1980". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2012-02-28. (With essay by Dorianne Laux from the Awards 60-year anniversary blog.)
    • First novels or first works of fiction were recognized from 1980 to 1985.
  2. "1980 Finalists". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  3. "1980 Winners". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  4. Wawzenek, Bryan (2017). "R.E.M. Ponder Earthquakes and Artistry on 'King of Birds': The Story Behind Every 'Document' Song". Diffuser. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31.