Hackney: That Rose-Red Empire, Iain Sinclair’s extraordinary exploration of the area of London in which he has lived for decades has been applauded and recommended on a number of “Best of 2009” lists. The paperback edition is due for publication in February 2010 from Hamish Hamilton.
‘My award for the most beautifully published volume of the year goes to Hackney: That Rose-Red Empire by Iain Sinclair. Sinclair’s provocative blend of documentary and fantasy have made him the focus of a literary cult and devotees will be delighted by his latest production‘ — Erica Wagner, Literary Editor of The Times
‘Iain Sinclair is now a national treasure. Hackney: That Rose-Red Empire might just turn out to be the lasting legacy of London 2012‘ — Jonathan Bate, London Review Of Books
‘My favourite piece of non-fiction [of 2009] was Iain Sinclair’s Hackney: That Rose-Red Empire, which sprawled and meandered as much as the borough’s streets do, but with rather more beauty‘ — Alex Clark, New Statesman
Benedetto, over at Iain Sinclair’s Official Unofficial web site has dropped us a line to say that he’s now got a mailing list to keep fans (and us!) up-to-date with Iain’s events diary.
Ledbury Poetry Festival – July 4th 2009, at 19.45 : Iain Sinclair and Brian Catling will give a Live Reading at this year Ledbury Poetry Festival, at the Burgage Hall
“Iain Sinclair and Brian Catling were both connected to the British avant-garde poetry scene in the 60s and 70s and they are reunited again at Ledbury for what will be a fascinating and perspective-shifting event. Iain Sinclair’s works include Lud heat: A Book of the Dead Hamlets, Downriver, Lights out for the Territory and London Orbital. Brian Catling is a poet, sculptor, performance artist, filmmaker, academic. His work ‘Antix’, was described as, “Uncompromising, its imaginative density and sinister ire pushed the shifting relationship between performer and audience into an uneasy space” (Frieze Magazine). He is also known for his very black sense of humour. His new book of poetry Resurrecting Bobby Awl is published this year.”
Please check the festival website for more details and for changes to the schedule.
Here’s a link to a really excellent web site dedicated to Iain Sinclair and his work. Iain has given his blessing to this instructive online resource which is run and maintained by Sinclair fan extraordinaire, Benedetto.
If you want up-to-date information on Iain’s public engagements, this is the place to visit…
A well deserved pat on the back goes to Anna Ridley, the publicist at Hamish Hamilton who steered the excellent campaign behind Iain Sinclair‘s recent book Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire. Check out this recent press release…
“Congratulations to Anna Ridley who has won the Publishers Publicity Circle Quarterly Award for her campaign for Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire by Iain Sinclair at today’s PPC meeting. The prize was awarded by Alice O’Keefe of The Bookseller, who singled out Anna’s quick response in turning the potentially negative ‘Hackney library controversy‘ into a positive news story to generate new levels of coverage for the book, and the focussed work Anna did with Hackney’s independent bookshops to coordinate a diverse range of events, and maximise sales as remarkable factors. The first quarter award is for any book published in December, January or February. Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire by Iain Sinclair was published by Hamish Hamilton on February 26th, 2009.”
There’s a wonderful short film on The Guardian web site in which Ian Sinclair takes us on a fascinating short walk around Hackney.
The piece – which you’ll find by following this link – offers a real flavour of Sinclair’s new book, Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire which is now at number #13 in the hardcover charts, is ranked in the top 250 Amazon sellers and has already been reprinted twice since its Feb 26th release!