Grits (novel)

Book by Niall Griffiths

Grits

First edition

Author| Niall Griffiths
Cover artist| Matt Smith/PYMCA
Language| English
Publisher| Jonathan Cape

Publication date

| Feb 2000
Publication place| United Kingdom
Media type| Print (paperback)
Pages| 481
ISBN| 0-224-05996-3
Followed by| Sheepshagger

Grits is the debut novel by British author Niall Griffiths, published in 2000 by Jonathan Cape. Set in and around Aberystwyth and concerning promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, and petty crime[1] it gained for its author, who lives and works in the town[2] the dubious honorific "the Welsh Irvine Welsh".[3] The novel is largely autobiographical, Griffiths moved to Aberystwyth to research a PhD in post-war British poetry but soon became, as he puts it, an "enthusiastic participator in parties"[4] and dropped out of his studies.[5]

Ianto, a character briefly appearing in Grits became the anti-hero of Griffith's second novel Sheepshagger.[3]

## Reception

[edit]

From the rear of the 2001 Vintage Books edition :

* "When it comes to kick starting the literary millennium, Grits \- difficult, disturbing and unforgettable - may well be the book to back" - Independent
* "Griffiths is undoubtedly a writer of talent. In the breadth of his huge, pulsing first novel, he captures the tedium of a life lived from one fix to the next" - Observer
* "If you liked Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting you'll love Grits" - Daily Express

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Rear cover, 2001 Vintage Books edition, ISBN 0-09-9285177
2. ^ "Niall Griffiths | British Council Literature". Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
3. ^ a b Last exit to Aberystwyth Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian, Saturday 3 February 2001
4. ^ "Nee, Laura. "Grits". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 June 2008". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
5. ^ "Retrieved 2014-03-28". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* book club reviews from The Listener

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