International Dublin Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 14 (2009) Winner
Michael Thomas
マイケル・トーマス
Maikeru Tōmasu
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Boston (born and raised) → New York City (residence and work)
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Novelist, College instructor
- Active Years
- 2000-
- Affiliations
- Hunter College (faculty)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter College | — | — | 学士 | — | United States |
| Warren Wilson College | — | Fiction (graduate program) | 修士 | — | United States |
Hunter College
Degree:
学士
Country:
United States
Studied for a bachelor's degree at Hunter College; later taught there.
Warren Wilson College
Fiction (graduate program)
Degree:
修士
Country:
United States
Graduate fiction program; thesis was a collection of short stories, one of which became his debut novel.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | International Dublin Literary Award | Man Gone Down | — | International Dublin Literary Award organization | Winner |
International Dublin Literary Award
2009
Work:
Man Gone Down
Organization:
International Dublin Literary Award organization
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 0 (2024) Winner
Works
Major Works
Man Gone Down
2006 Novel (contemporary fiction)Follows an African-American man estranged from his white wife and children who must come up with a sum of money within four days to have them returned. The novel explores the American Dream, race, and family with elements of gallows humour.
American DreamRaceFamilyEconomic struggle
Bibliography
- Man Gone Down
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Image-driven proseFragmented, lyrical passagesIncludes gallows humour
- Recurring Motifs
- Identity and raceUrban lonelinessEconomic insecurity
Legacy
Won the 2009 International Dublin Literary Award for his debut novel Man Gone Down, gaining international recognition. The work was noted for its incisive depiction of contemporary American life and race.
Quotes
-
"One day I was doing my laundry and I realised the breaks were chapters, not pages, and I started writing a novel."
Source: Interview (comments at time of award) (2009) -
"I was stunned — I'm still waiting for the punch line."
Source: Remarks at the Dublin Literary Award ceremony (2009)
Trivia
- Won the 2009 International Dublin Literary Award for his debut novel Man Gone Down; the prize was €100,000.
- Studied at Hunter College (BA) and Warren Wilson College (MA).
- Has worked various jobs including in bars, restaurants, construction, pizza delivery, on film sets and as a taxi driver.
- Divorced and has three children.