Hugo Hamilton was born in Dublin in 1953 to Irish and German parents, he has
written many novels that reflect his travels in Europe and address issues
raised by his dual nationality. They include Surrogate City (1990), The Last
Shot (1991), which won the Rooney Prize for Irish literature, and The Love
Test (1995), as well as two novels about a Dublin policeman, Headbanger
(1997) and Sad Bastard (1998). His collected stories, Dublin Where the Palm
Trees Grow, appeared in 1996. His bestselling memoir The Speckled People
(4th Estate) was published in 2003 to universal critical acclaim and won the
prestigious Prix Femina in France. The film rights were bought by Neil
Jordan. A new memoir entitled The Sailor in the Wardrobe (4th Estate) will
be published in 2006.