Birdy (novel)

1978 novel by William Wharton

For the novel by Tracey Lindberg, see Birdie (novel).

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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 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]

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]

1. ^ "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.
2. ^ "1980 Finalists". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
3. ^ "1980 Winners". Pulitzer Prize Foundation. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
4. ^ 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 August 31, 2017.

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