Kazuo Ishiguro is one of the most celebrated contemporary authors in the world. Over a span of 30 years, the Japanese-born British novelist has written several international best-sellers, received England’s top literary prize and has had his work translated into 28 languages.
For his major contribution to the field of literature and letters, Ishiguro will receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2013 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award on Dec. 6 at a black-tie dinner in his honor at Southern Hills Country Club. On Saturday, Dec. 7, Ishiguro will give a free public presentation and book signing, starting at 10:30 a.m., at the Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St., in Connor’s Cove. He will answer questions from the audience. Copies of his works will be available for purchasing.
Ishiguro’s novels include the 1989 Man Booker Prize-winning “The Remains of the Day,” which was adapted into an award-winning feature film in 1993 starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson; “An Artist of the Floating World”; “The Unconsoled”; “When We Were Orphans”; and “Never Let Me Go,” which was adapted into a feature film in 2010 for which he served as executive producer. His most recent work is “Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall.” Except for his first novel, “A Pale View of Hills,” all of his works have been shortlisted for major awards.
To celebrate Ishiguro’s visit to Tulsa, the following free events are planned for November:
· “Novel Talk Presents: Surviving Utopia – Fear, Hope and Place in Dystopic Science Fiction,” Nov. 13, 7 p.m., Hardesty Regional Library, Connor’s Cove. Using Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go,” Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games,” H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” and other sci-fi works, this program will explore what it means when a science fiction home becomes a hell – and what that says about our own reality today. Featured speakers are Laura Raphael, Tulsa City-County Library, and Joshua Grasso, East Central University.
· “Books Sandwiched In Presents: A Kazuo Ishiguro Sampler,” Nov. 18, 12:10-12:50 p.m., Oklahoma Methodist Manor, Fleming Center, 4134 E. 31st St. William C. Kellough, district judge, will discuss Ishiguro’s works. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries.
· “Books People Are Talking About,” Nov. 20, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Helmerich Library, 5131 E. 91st St. Participants will discuss Ishiguro’s works. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library.
· Film showing, “The Remains of the Day,” Nov. 21, 7 p.m., University of Tulsa, Tyrrell Hall, 600 S. College Ave.
For more information about Ishiguro’s visit to Tulsa or the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, visit http://helmerichaward.org or call 918-549-7323.