The Dublin: One City One Book choice for 2010 is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Better known as a dramatist, this is Oscar’s only novel. Contemporary reviewers felt the work was ‘corrupt, leprous, poisonous, and suited only for “perverted telegraph boys”

Intrigued?  The Picture of Dorian Gray will be available in all Dublin City Libraries towards the end of March in book form as well as talking book on CD, pre-loaded MP3 player and a large print version.

An exciting programme of events has been arranged for the month of April with something for everyone.

The full programme will be available in leaflet form at the end of March or is available now on www.dublinonecityonebook.ie

Wednesday 7th April 7pm

Wood Quay Venue, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 (entrance Winetavern St. at side of Civic Offices)

Talk ‘Killing One Peacock with Two Stones: Dorian Gray and the downfall of Oscar Wilde’ by Merlin Holland (Wilde author and grandson of Oscar) Admission free. Booking not necessary.

Other events include:

‘The Birthday of the Infanta’ in Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, ‘The Happy Prince’ in Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane;

costumed characters wandering around the city centre; walks around Wildean Dublin; ‘Wilde Family Scandals’ in Marsh’s Library,

‘Salome’ performed in St. Ann’s Church, Dawson St.,

Terry Eagleton talking about the contradictions of Oscar Wilde;

dramatised, costumed performances from Oscar’s works in St. Ann’s Church;

talks on such as the aesthetic movement of the 19th century; the erotic innocence of Dorian Gray; the relationship between Dorian Gray and Melmoth the Wanderer;

related exhibitions in the Long Room in Trinity College and Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane

but a ‘must see’ is the portrait of Dorian in a Victorian setting in Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street. See Dorian as a beautiful young man and then the degenerate he became.

De Niro’s Game by Rawi Hage has scooped the world’s richest literary prize by being awarded the 13th annual International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award today, announced by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Paddy Bourke, Patron of the Award.

Hage, who was born in Beirut, lived through nine years of civil war in the city before emigrating to Canada. His debut novel beat off competition from 137 titles, nominated by 162 public libraries from 45 countries.

The winning novel, first published by House of Anansi Press, Canada, was chosen by a panel of five international judges from a shortlist of eight, including Patrick McCabe’s, Winterwood, heralded by critics as the Monaghan man’s best work yet.

The IMPAC DUBLIN panel, which this year included Irish academic and writer Eibhlín Evans, said: “Rawi Hage’s De Niro’s Game is an eloquent, forthright and at times beautifully written first novel. Ringing with insight and authenticity the novel shows how war can envelope lives. It’s a game where there are no winners, just degrees of survival. It’s a wonderful debut and a deserving winner.”

For more details see the IMPAC Award website