Shannon Burke (writer)

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Shannon Burke (born September 11, 1966) is an American novelist and screenwriter.

Biography[]

Burke was born in Wilmette, Illinois and studied at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After graduating he became a paramedic for the New York City Fire Department. Burke used these experiences in his novels Safelight (2004) and Black Flies (2008).[1][2] Burke has published four novels: Safelight (2004), Black Flies (2008), Into the Savage Country (2015), and The Brother Years (2020) . He also has been involved in various film and television projects, including work on the script for the film Syriana (2005),[3][4] and he is the co-creator and executive producer of the Netflix series Outer Banks.[5]

Burke lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with his two sons.[6][7][8]

Novels[]

  • Safelight (2004) Random House, ISBN 978-0812971743
  • Black Flies (2008) Soft Skull Press, ISBN 978-1593761912
  • Into the Savage Country (2015) Pantheon, ISBN 978-0307908926
  • The Brother Years (2020) Pantheon, ISBN 1524748641

Critical reception[]

  • Safelight, Burke's debut novel, is a love story involving a fencer with HIV and a paramedic who interacts with the world through photographs of his patients. Burke stated that he believed the novel was about “personal redemption.”[1] The book was well received,[9] with the New York Times' Julia Livshin calling the novel “a minimalist tour de force.”[10] Daniel Menaker, ex-editor and chief of Random House, called Safelight one of "the most under-rated novels I've edited."[11]
  • Burke's second novel, Black Flies is about the trials and moral weathering of a paramedic. Burke himself was a paramedic in New York and used his experiences from that job for the novel.[12] The book was noted for its realistic depiction of paramedics.[13][14] In the New York Times, Liesl Schillinger called the novel “searing and morally resonant."[12] Black Flies was a New York Times Notable book,[15] was on the short list for numerous prizes,[16][17][18] and won France's Prix de Mystere de la critique.[19]
  • Into the Savage Country, Burke's third novel, a historical adventure, was a departure in setting and tone from his previous two novels. In a post publication interview, Burke said he wanted to write an adventure novel like "Kidnapped" or "White Fang."[20] The novel was memorable for its historical depiction of trappers in the 1820s[21] and was generally well-received. It was a finalist for the Reading the West Book Award.[22]
  • The Brother Years is a coming of age novel, a roman a clef, based on Burke's childhood in suburban Chicago. It was published in August 2020.

Awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Ramsey, Nancy, "On the Way to the Hospital a Novel is Born", New York Times, 12/2/2004
  2. ^ Simon, Scott, "Novel 'Safelight' Tells Paramedic's Story", NPR, October 9, 2004
  3. ^ IndieWire Lattanzio, Ryan, In the Works: Jason Clarke and Omar Sy Set to Star in ‘Syriana’ Writer/Director Stephen Gaghan’s ‘Candy Store’, April 4, 2013
  4. ^ Penguin Random House - Shannon Burke Author Page
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (May 3, 2019). "'Outer Banks': Charles Esten, Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline Among 8 Cast In Netflix YA Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  6. ^ Penguin/Random House - Author Page
  7. ^ Callaghan, Carrie "An Interview with Shannon Burke," Washington Independent Review of Books, Oct 15, 2015
  8. ^ Shannon Burke Website
  9. ^ Hood, Allison, Review of Safelight, San Francisco Chronicle, September 5, 2004
  10. ^ Livshin, Julia, "The Allure of the Unknown," Safelight, New York Times, 10/10/2004
  11. ^ Menaker, Daniel "The Most Underrated Novels I've Edited," The Daily Beast, November 19. 2013
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Schillinger, Liesl, "Blood and Guts, Sunday Book Review, New York Times, May 25, 2008
  13. ^ Allen, Paul Goat, "A Roundup of Recent Crime Novels," Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2008
  14. ^ O'Connell, John, Review of "Black Flies, The Guardian, August 21, 2009
  15. ^ New York Times Notable Book - 2008
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b 2008 Believer Book Award Short List
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Les grands Prix de Littérature Policière 2014, Le Monde, 11/16/15
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Prix SCNF du Polar - Shortlist - 2017
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Nicolas Mathieu Prix Mystère de la Critique 2015, Le Monde, 2/10/2015
  20. ^ McNamee, Greg, An Interview with Shannon Burke, Kirkus, February 15, 2015
  21. ^ Wiebe, Bruce, "Into the Savage Country" - Journey to a Gone World, Books and Culture, May 2015
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Reading the West Book Award - Short List - 2015
  23. ^ Book Awards, International Impac Dublin Literary Award Longlist

External links[]

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