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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]
 Front cover of first edition | |
| Author | William Wharton |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Fred Marcellino |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Knopf |
Publication date | December 1978 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom [citation needed] |
| Media type | Print & Audio |
| Pages | 309 |
| ISBN | 978-0-394-42569-6 |
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.
References
edit- ^
"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. - ^ "1980 Finalists". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
- ^ "1980 Winners". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
- ^ 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.
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