Colm Tóibín

Irish novelist and writer · Ireland · On the map · Writers · Born 1955 · age 71

Colm Tóibín is an Irish novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist, critic, playwright and poet.

Colm Tóibín is read about 661 times a day, in 36 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 8 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 113 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2023Bodley MedalAward2022The Writers' PrizeAward2018Runciman AwardAward2017Honorary DoctorateAward2015Hawthornden PrizeAward2013“If a storyteller came up to me, I'd run away.”In their words19 February 2013Colm Tóibín, novelist - portrait of the artist, The GuardianRead the whole statement

“Ending a novel is almost like putting a child to sleep - it can't be done abruptly.”In their words19 February 2013Colm Tóibín, novelist - portrait of the artist, The GuardianRead the whole statement

2012“I have a rule that I don't drink in New York because I don't want to wake up with a hangover and not be able to work.”In their words27 February 2012World of Colm Tóibín, writer, The Daily TelegraphRead the whole statement

“I was brought up in a house where there was a great deal of silence.”In their words17 February 2012Colm Tóibín: writers and their families, The GuardianRead the whole statement

2011“I was the worst barman who ever lived. My pints of Guinness were unholy.”In their words17 June 2011The best holiday reads, The GuardianRead the whole statement

2010Joan B. Cendrós International AwardAward2009Costa Book AwardsAward2007“The room is like a cave, and has books I love in it. The main door was closed up and a smaller opening was made under the stairs.”In their words13 July 2007Writers' rooms: Colm Tóibín, The GuardianRead the whole statement

Fellow of the Royal Society of LiteratureAward2006Dublin Literary AwardAward1995E. M. Forster AwardAward1993Encore AwardAward1955Born30 May 1955

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Colm Tóibín

4 statements, newest first

A novelist could probably run a military campaign with some success. They could certainly run a country.
19 February 2013 · Colm Tóibín, novelist - portrait of the artist, The Guardian, Own words
The only time I've ever learned anything from a review was when John Lanchester wrote a piece in the Guardian about my second novel, The Heather Blazing.
19 February 2013 · Colm Tóibín, novelist - portrait of the artist, The Guardian, Own words
I wanted to be a poet as a child and I have a wall in my study dedicated to poetry books, all in alphabetical order, that reminds me daily of my failure.
27 February 2012 · World of Colm Tóibín, writer, The Daily Telegraph, Own words