Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Russell Hoban

@russellhoban.bsky.social

220 followers 210 following 60 posts

Official account for author Russell Hoban (1925–2011), author of Riddley Walker, Turtle Diary, The Mouse and His Child, Frances the Badger, etc. https://russellhoban.org/ Maintained by: @daveawl.bsky.social @thoughtcat.bsky.social

russellhoban.org

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Jan 7

Hello, Bluesky! This is the official Bluesky account for author Russell Hoban (1925–2011), maintained by the people behind the authorized website at RussellHoban.org. We’ll be sharing news, commentary, quotations, and lots of info about the upcoming #Hoban100 centenary events!

6 36

Reposted by Russell Hoban

kleinzeit.bsky.social @kleinzeit.bsky.social · 12d

Today my book on Russell Hoban is published. Thank you to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped get me here, and thank you especially to my wonderful wife! @russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social @txst.edu

1 3 8

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · 12d

This is the book Graeme read excerpts from during our #Hoban100 event at the Hopleaf in Chicago earlier this year, which also included readings from Russell Hoban's books in honor of his centenary.

1 3

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · 12d

Congrats to author Graeme Wend-Walker on the arrival of his brand-new book about Russ! The book is entitled "Russell Hoban: Faithful to the Strange" and it's already available at booksellers. The cover features a painting Russ loved—the head of Orpheus with his lyre as depicted by Odilon Redon.

An open cardboard box containing copies of the new book, Russell Hoban, Faithful to the Strange by Graeme Wend-Walker, featuring Odilon Redon's painting of the head of Orpheus on the cover.

1 3 11

Reposted by Russell Hoban

kleinzeit.bsky.social @kleinzeit.bsky.social · 13d

Author copies have arrived! @russellhoban.bsky.social @txst.edu @mcfarland.bsky.social

3 6

Reposted by Russell Hoban

wordsSHIFTminds @wordsshiftminds.bsky.social · Sep 8

In 2023, wordsSHIFTminds released a 22-track double album inspired by author Russell Hoban's 1996 science fiction novel 'Fremder'. (**)+<0>% #music #instrumental #synthwave #synths #downtempo #electronica #distrokid #youtube #bandcamp #applemusic #itunes #Hoban100

Fremder, by wordsSHIFTminds

22 track album

wordsshiftminds.bandcamp.com

3 6

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Dave @dave.9000ish.uk · Sep 1

What a book for a child to read

1 1 6

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Dave @dave.9000ish.uk · Sep 1

'Still the child stared, and saw between the dots of color blank white space, emptiness that seemed to flow back toward him from the smallest dog out through the largest.

“Nothing,” said the mouse child. “I can see the nothing between the dots"'

1 1 2

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Dave @dave.9000ish.uk · Sep 1

Annals of half-remembered children's tales:

"there was an old story I read as a child about a toy that had a windup mechanism, and the story revolved around how this toy could end up winding itself. Any ideas?"

There is a scene which has stuck with me over the decades...

1 1 2

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Jun 29

Trubba not! If you haven't already found your way to it, there's a recording of the panel on YouTube, as well as a transcript available here: russellhoban.org/2025/02/21/r...

Riddley Walker panel discusses new theatre adaptation, first encounters with the book and more

Our online panel discussion of Russell Hoban’s 1980 novel Riddley Walker last Sunday, 16th February, took in early experiences of the book, names, weather, puns, social habits in the Middle A…

russellhoban.org

2 3

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · May 21

A group of artists are staging a performance inspired by Russell Hoban’s Riddley Walker in Canterbury, UK on 12th June. Participants in the project include Russ's son Wieland Hoban. Find out more (and check out a video clip) on the official Hoban site. #Hoban100

Riddley Walker-inspired performance in Canterbury on 12th June

A group of artists are staging a performance inspired by Russell Hoban’s 1980 novel Riddley Walker in Canterbury, UK on 12th June. “This unique event is part of an exploration of the po…

russellhoban.org

6 11

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · May 18

😄

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Mar 26

Very exciting!

graemeww.bsky.social @graemeww.bsky.social · Mar 26

McFarland now has a page up for my forthcoming book on Russell Hoban!
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/russ...
@russellhoban.bsky.social
@mcfarland.bsky.social

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Rob T @thexclaim6.bsky.social · Mar 2

Old poster for Russell Hoban’s The Carrier Frequency (1984) spotted in a band practice space in Leeds (Mook in Meanwood) @russellhoban.bsky.social

Old poster for Russell Hoban’s The Carrier Frequency showing a fully clothed woman in a swimming pool treading water

1 8

Reposted by Russell Hoban

nzjanette @nzjanette.bsky.social · Feb 25

If someone twisted my arm and forced my to choose a favourite book, this would be right up there.
It was such a perfect reading experience that I've not read it again.
And that's not my usual strategy.
I've read and reread my other book loves so much I often know what the next sentence will be.

Some Melodious Plot @somemelodiousplot.bsky.social · Feb 25

An astonishing book. I passed it to the boy last night and he’s devouring it. Or Arga Warga-ing it. #RiddleyWalker #RussellHoban #Books

3 2 11

Reposted by Russell Hoban

persepolis-peckham.bsky.social @persepolis-peckham.bsky.social · Feb 24

So we're on the Book Shepherd with our favourite books about niche London... @mattfromlondon.bsky.social and @lloydshepherd.com are both on the list...
shepherd.com/best-books/t...

The best books about the less obvious bits of London

Sally Butcher shares the 5 best books on the less obvious bits of London. Have you read Turtle Diary?

shepherd.com

1 3 5

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Feb 22

Looking forward to this book!

graemeww.bsky.social @graemeww.bsky.social · Feb 21

Cover reveal! I'm delighted McFarland has chosen to use one of my suggestions. Odilon Redon turns up frequently in Hoban's writing. This painting (Orpheus, c. 1903-1910) likely inspired the Head of Orpheus character in The Medusa Frequency.
@russellhoban.bsky.social @mcfarland.bsky.social

2 7

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Dr Chris Haan @twpeople.bsky.social · Feb 19

And many thanks to @backlisted.bsky.social for the inspiration for the purchase. ‘New old episode up now. Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban’
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/232

1 3 11

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Feb 20

Imagine getting to hear Audre Lorde reading from "Bedtime for Frances!"

LGBTQ History @lgbtqhistory.bsky.social · Feb 19

"Storyland Hours Tomorrow At Library," Mount Vernon Argus, Jan 27, 1961. Details a children's story hour hosted by Audre Lorde during her time working at Mount Vernon Public Library.

One column of text. Headline: Storyland Hours Tomorrow At Library

2 6 15

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Kasey Gifford @kaseygifford.bsky.social · Feb 16

The Mouse and His Child (1977) is one of my favorite obscure animated films. It was produced/distributed by Sanrio and co-directed by Fred Wolf. Wolf also directed "The Point (1971)" but is most famous for his "Mr. Owl" Tootsie Roll commercial. The 70's was full of weird, experimental gems like this

Kieran (But Spookier) @toadally.bsky.social · Feb 16

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the Last Visible Dog scene from a Mouse and His Child youtu.be/3EiF3KLpTS0

The Last Visible Dog

YouTube video by Pobotrol

youtu.be

4 4 26

Reposted by Russell Hoban

lumpyprol @lumpyprol.bsky.social · Feb 17

(several decades late to it, but Riddley Walker is incredible)

2 1 2

Reposted by Russell Hoban

lumpyprol @lumpyprol.bsky.social · Feb 17

O what we ben! And what we come to!

1 3 3

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Neil Mackenzie @nmackenzie.bsky.social · Feb 16

Turtle Diary
- Russell Hoban

Stream from BBC Radio 4.

BBC Sounds - Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban - Available Episodes

Listen to the latest episodes of Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban on BBC Sounds.

www.bbc.co.uk

2 4

Reposted by Russell Hoban

David Ellison @davidellison.bsky.social · Feb 16

Best book I’ve read so far this year

The cover of Russell Hoban’s novel “Riddley Walker,” showing a puppet against a white background. A cat looks at the camera from behind the book.

2 10

Reposted by Russell Hoban

Dr Kate Laity 🧿 @katelaity.bsky.social · Feb 16

This was fun and the recording will make its way to the @russellhoban.bsky.social site soon.

Dr Kate Laity 🧿 @katelaity.bsky.social · Feb 16

Hoban100: Riddley Walker Panel kalaity.com/2025/02/09/h... today! Online! Free!

Hoban100: Riddley Walker Panel

Artwork by Juan Esguerra Panel takes place at 7:30pm UK (2:30pm NY ) Free to the public via Zoom at this link: RussellHoban.org presents a one-hour online panel discussion of Riddley Walker, …

kalaity.com

3 3 9

Russell Hoban @russellhoban.bsky.social · Feb 16

Just hours away! The free #Hoban100 panel discussion of Riddley Walker (featuring Wieland Hoban, among others) takes place via Zoom on Sunday, Feb 16 at 7:30 pm GMT (UK time).

That's 2:30 pm Eastern time in the US, and 8:30 am on Monday Feb 17 in New Zealand.

Full info: russellhoban.org/hoban100/

Graphic with an illustration of a Punch puppet holding his stick and saying Trubba not. Text reads, Hoban 100, Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban, online panel discussion. February 16 at 7:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time. Free to the public via Zoom.

1 10