Keenan_David_Xstabeth-scaled-1
2022 Nominated

Xstabeth

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

In St Petersburg, Russia, Aneliya is torn between the love of her father and her father’s best friend. Her father dreams of becoming a great musician but suffers with a naiveté that means he will never be taken seriously. Her father’s best friend has a penchant for vodka, strip clubs and moral philosophy.

When an angelic presence named Xstabeth enters their lives – a presence who simultaneously fulfils and disappears those she touches – Aneliya and her father’s world is transformed.

Moving from Russia to St Andrews, Scotland, Xstabeth tackles the metaphysics of golf, the mindset of classic Russian novels and the power of art and music to re-wire reality.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR David
Keenan

David Keenan is the author of four critically-acclaimed novels; the cult classic This is Memorial Device, which won the London Magazine Prize; For the Good Times, which won the Gordon Burn Prize; The Towers The Fields The Transmitters and Xstabeth. He lives in Glasgow, Scotland.

David Keenan is the author of four critically-acclaimed novels; the cult classic This is Memorial Device, which won the London Magazine Prize; For the Good Times, which won the Gordon Burn Prize; The Towers The Fields The Transmitters and Xstabeth. He lives in Glasgow, Scotland.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find any translators matching your search. Please try using different keywords or check back later as we regularly update our collection.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Xstabeth is the third novel of David Keenan. It is like his previous novel deeply related to the world of music: His most gnostic work with weird loops and a torrential rhythm that looks at the same time at the 19th Russian novelists and at the mystic power of music. Biblioteca Vila de Gràcia, Spain

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
12/05/2020
Country
United Kingdom
Original Language
English
Author
Publisher
Orion Publishing
Borrow this book from Libraries Ireland

RELATED FEATURES

Video April 7 2026

The 2026 Shortlist

Discover this year's Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
News April 7 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Shortlist is Announced

Delve into the 6 novels shortlisted this year.
News April 2 2026

Past Winner Spotlight: Michael Crummey

Reflecting on his 2025 Dublin Literary Award win with his novel 'The Adversary', libraries, literature and more.
News March 11 2026

Translator Spotlight: Jo Heinrich

Reflecting on translating the 2023 winning novel 'Marzahn, Mon Amour' and life as a literary translator.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.