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Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

How Late It Was, How Late

by James Kelman
Aggregate Editorial Score73/100
★Booker Prize
Published 1994373 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that How Late It Was, How Late (1994) by James Kelman continues to receive. Sammy, a Glasgow petty criminal, wakes up after a binge having gone blind after a confrontation with the police. Kelman's Booker Prize winner, narrated entirely in Glasgow dialect and free indirect discourse, was controversial for its language but is now recognised as a masterpiece of working-class literature. Themes of blindness, working class, Glasgow run through the work. The book has received recognition from Booker Prize 1994.

Book Details

AuthorJames Kelman
Published1994
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages373
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780436203817
Editorial Score73/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Kingdom →

Editorial Assessment

How Late It Was, How Late by James Kelman sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1994 in United Kingdom, it engages with blindness, working class, Glasgow, bureaucracy in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: Booker Prize 1994. With an editorial score of 73/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to How Late It Was, How Late for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of blindness, working class, Glasgow, bureaucracy is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, James Kelman occupies a significant position. How Late It Was, How Late is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Booker Prize
winner · global
199468
✍️
About the Author
James Kelman
United Kingdom
View Author →

James Kelman is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is How Late It Was, How Late about?

Sammy, a Glasgow petty criminal, wakes up after a binge having gone blind after a confrontation with the police. Kelman's Booker Prize winner, narrated entirely in Glasgow dialect and free indirect discourse, was controversial for its language but is now recognised as a masterpiece of working-class literature.

Who wrote How Late It Was, How Late?

How Late It Was, How Late was written by James Kelman, from United Kingdom. First published in 1994.

What awards has How Late It Was, How Late won?

How Late It Was, How Late has received the following awards and honours: Booker Prize 1994.

Is How Late It Was, How Late worth reading?

How Late It Was, How Late is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 68/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in blindness, working class, Glasgow.

Where can I buy How Late It Was, How Late?

You can buy How Late It Was, How Late on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is How Late It Was, How Late?

How Late It Was, How Late is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is How Late It Was, How Late from?

How Late It Was, How Late originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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