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William McIlvanney

1936 – 2015

William McIlvanney was a noteworthy author from Scotland, who was famous for writing short stories, poems, and full length novels. He was particularly well known for writing mysteries, thrillers, and literature & fiction books. The writing career of author McIlvanney consists of several standalone novels as well as a novel series called Jack Laidlaw. McIlvanney was typically known as Willi among his acquaintances and friends. Author McIlanney was considered a champion writer of gritty, poetic literature. In most of his literary work, he has portrayed Glasgow from the time of the 1970’s, which was liked by many readers. Author McIlvanney is known for introducing the Tartan Noir and is regarded as the Camus of Scotland. McIlvanney was born as William Angus McIlvanney on November 25, 1936. His birth had taken place in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Author McIlvanney was the 4th child of his parents. His father used to work as a miner. The schooling of McIlvanney was done at the Kilmarnock Academy. Later, he completed his graduation from the Glasgow University in the subject of English. Author McIlvanney also holds a Master of Arts degree, which he earned from the same university in 1960. Following his MA, he started working as a teacher of English, teaching school kids until the year 1975. When author McIlvanney got interesting in writing stories, he left his teaching job at the Greenwood Academy, where he was the assistant headmaster, and began pursuing the new career path of writing. In addition to writing books and stories, author McIlvanney used to contribute newspaper columns in a number of daily newspaper on a regular basis. He was also the narrator and writer of the football documentary of BBC Scotland, Only A Game?, which was broadcast in 1986. Author McIlvanney had strong views on socialism and held on to them all his life. Like many other people in his Scottish background, he too was a strong opposer of Thatcherism. McIlvanney was highly disappointed because of the Labor shift under Blair. By the year 2014, he had acquired the feeling, though with a lot of hesitation, that the Independence of Scotland might possibly be the best solution politically.

22 Books
3 Series

Publication Order

Standalone Books

The Longships In Harbour

1970

Amazon

Landscapes & Figures

1973

Amazon

These Words

1984

Amazon

Walking Wounded

1989

Amazon

Surviving the Shipwreck

1991

Amazon

The Kiln

1996

Amazon

Weekend

2006

Amazon

A Gift From Nessus

1968

Amazon

In Through the Head

1988

Amazon

The Big Man

1985

Amazon

Docherty

1975

Amazon

Remedy is None

1966

Amazon
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