Book description
The Red Cockatoo is the first full length study of the work of
James Kelman to take full cognisance of the author's political
commitments and activism throughout his career. This book is published
in partnership with The Drouth Magazine and traces the history and
details of Kelman's political writing and activism. Besides numerous
novels Kelman has published two volumes of literary, social,
historical and political criticism. He has also been unceasingly
involved in political and human rights campaigns, manifestoes and
demonstrations throughout his life. What exactly are Kelman's
politics: why are some readers still baffled and shocked by his
standpoint? His stance on social and political issues has been widely
criticised not only by ordinary readers, but by the Establishment in
the form of Booker Prize judges, and others.
Authors Mitchell and Rodger are currently co-operating on a project
to make a documentary film from 13 hours footage shot at Kelman's 1990
conference 'Self determination and Power', where Noam Chomsky was the
main speaker. This book was written with the help of exclusive access
the authors had to that footage, and it attempts to create a map of the
difficult territory of Kelman's career as an engaged artist.
