The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: Author

Biography

I born on 30 April 1971 in Dublin, Ireland. Since a very early age he used to devour major literary works like The Count of Monte Cristo, Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island. At the age of twelve he developed a keen interest in writing. I studied English Literature at Trinity College, Dublin, and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, where I was awarded the Curtis Brown prize.

I have published 11 novels for adults, a short story collection and 6 novels for younger readers, including The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas which was a New York Times #1 Bestseller. This novel was adapted for a feature film, a play, a ballet, and an opera, selling around 10 million copies worldwide. Among my most popular books are The Heart’s Invisible Furies and A Ladder to the Sky.

I’m a regular book reviewer for The Irish Times and have been a judge for the Hennessy Literary Awards, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Green Carnation Prize, the Scotiabank Giller Prize in Canada, the 2019 Costa Novel Award and the 2019 Costa Book of the Year Award.

In 2012, I was awarded the Hennessy Literary ‘Hall of Fame’ Award for my body of work.

My novels are published in 50 different languages.

Click on the cover pages to find out more about John Boyne's other novels.

• There are no geniuses; there are only hard-working, committed writers doing their best each time.
• There are no ‘instant classics’; there’s the occasional book that, with luck, might be remembered in 50 years.
• Just because your 1st novel gets published does not mean your 5th will.
• Before everything else, a reader wants a good story.
• There are no inaccuracies in fiction; it’s all made-up.