Description

Book Synopsis

WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE

‘A passionate, scintillating, brilliant song of a book’
Guardian


Sammy's had a bad week.


Most of it's just a blank space in his mind, and the bits that he can remember, he'd rather not. His wallet's gone, along with his new shoes, he's been arrested then beaten up by the police and thrown out on the street - and he's just gone blind. He remembers a row with his girlfriend, but she seems to have disappeared; and he might have been trying to fix a bit of business up with an old mate, he's not too sure.


Things aren't looking too good for Sammy and his problems have hardly begun.



Trade Review
A passionate, scintillating, brilliant song of a book * Guardian *
Forging a wholly distinctive style from the bruised cadences of demotic Glaswegian, Kelman renders the hidden depths of ordinary lives in sardonic, abrasive prose which is more revealing of feelings that could ever be expected...as uplifting a novel as one could ever hope to read * Sunday Telegraph *
A work of marvellous vibrance and richness of character… it convinces, it charms, it entertains, it informs and it has life…. How Late it Was, How Late deserves every accolade it gets * New York Times *

How Late It Was How Late: The classic BOOKER

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 11 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by James Kelman

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of How Late It Was How Late: The classic BOOKER by James Kelman

      Publisher: Vintage Publishing
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 05/09/2019
      ISBN13: 9781529112702, 978-1529112702
      ISBN10: 1529112702

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE

      ‘A passionate, scintillating, brilliant song of a book’
      Guardian


      Sammy's had a bad week.


      Most of it's just a blank space in his mind, and the bits that he can remember, he'd rather not. His wallet's gone, along with his new shoes, he's been arrested then beaten up by the police and thrown out on the street - and he's just gone blind. He remembers a row with his girlfriend, but she seems to have disappeared; and he might have been trying to fix a bit of business up with an old mate, he's not too sure.


      Things aren't looking too good for Sammy and his problems have hardly begun.



      Trade Review
      A passionate, scintillating, brilliant song of a book * Guardian *
      Forging a wholly distinctive style from the bruised cadences of demotic Glaswegian, Kelman renders the hidden depths of ordinary lives in sardonic, abrasive prose which is more revealing of feelings that could ever be expected...as uplifting a novel as one could ever hope to read * Sunday Telegraph *
      A work of marvellous vibrance and richness of character… it convinces, it charms, it entertains, it informs and it has life…. How Late it Was, How Late deserves every accolade it gets * New York Times *

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