All the Colours of the Town_McIlvanney
2011 Nominated

All the Colours of the Town

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

When Glasgow journalist Gerry Conway receives a phone call promising unsavoury information about Scottish Justice Minister Peter Lyons, his instinct is that this apparent scoop won’t warrant space in the Tribune. But as Conway’s curiosity grows and his leads proliferate, his investigation takes him from Scotland to Belfast. Shocked by the sectarian violence of the past, and by the prejudice and hatred he encounters even now, Conway soon grows obsessed with the story of Lyons and all he represents.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Liam
McIlvanney

Liam McIlvanney was born in Scotland and studied at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford. He has written for numerous publications, including the London Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement. His first book, Burns the Radical (Tuckwell Press, 2002), won the Saltire First Book Award. He has also won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel for Where the Dead Men Go (Faber, 2014) and the Bloody Sunday McIlvanney Prize for The Quaker (HarperCollins, 2018).

He is Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

Liam McIlvanney was born in Scotland and studied at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford. He has written for numerous publications, including the London Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement. His first book, Burns the Radical (Tuckwell Press, 2002), won the Saltire First Book Award. He has also won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel for Where the Dead Men Go (Faber, 2014) and the Bloody Sunday McIlvanney Prize for The Quaker (HarperCollins, 2018).

He is Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

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

A first novel of quality. Strangely conveys the hopeless sectarianism of Glasgow and Belfast, a warning that it has not gone away. Conveys well the strong sense of belonging.

MacIntyre’s subtle psychological portrait of misplaced loyalties and human redemption resonates in these times.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Scotland
Original Language
English
Publisher
Faber & Faber

RELATED FEATURES

Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Watch 2026 Dublin Literary Award winner, Ali Smith, and author Belinda McKeon in conversation, which took place on 22nd May 2026 at the Dublin International Literature Festival
Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

Watch back the 2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony which took place on 21st May 2026
News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.

STAY CONNECTED

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