Guy Gavriel Kay biography

Guy Gavriel Kay portrait image

Guy Gavriel Kay was born on the 7th November 1954 in Canada. He is still based out of Toronto. At the beginning of his career Gavriel Kay aided Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R. Tolkien's son) in the editing of Tolkien's great work, The Silmarillion. The pair met when at university together in Manitoba.

Guy Gavriel Kay incorporates real history into his fantasy books with the influences of medieval France, Moorish Spain and the Byzantium Empire all prominent in his novels. His first major and successful work was the Fionavar Tapestry which was first published between 1984 and 1986.

Guy Gavriel Kay is also an acclaimed author of poetry, his work being named Beyond This Dark House. He has twice won the Aurora award and has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award three times. His novels have been translated into 22 languages.

Kay's fourth novel, Tigana, was nominated for the World Fantasy Award whilst is also won the Canadian Aurora Award. The second book of The Fionavar Tapestry, The Wandering Fire also won this award.

Guy Gavriel Kay has gained himself the reputation of being a perfectionist, especially in regards to his meticulous research carried out in the process of writing his novels. In an interview Kay mentioned that the majority of his books can take up to a year of reading, contacting people, not-taking and travel before he starts the process of writing the novel itself. This is a process that he enjoys and leads to a broadening of his own knowledge and also the forming of friendships.

Kay still writes occasionally for radio and television but his main work consists of researching and writing the fantasy novels for which he is now world renowned. The film company, Warner Brothers, announced in 2005 that they were planning to make The Lions of Al-Rassan into a motion picture.

Authorised Guy Gavriel Kay website

Guy Gavriel Kay bibliography

The Fionavar Tapestry

Tigana

A Song for Arbonne

The Lions of Al-Rassan

The Sarantine Mosaic

Beyond This Dark House

The Last Light Of The Sun

Ysabel

Guy Gavriel Kay interviews

In an interview with Raymond H. Thompson in 1989, Guy Gavriel Kay discusses the reasons behind the Arthurian thread running throughout the Fionavar Tapestry. He also talks about his research and books that have influenced him in his life. A very in-depth interview. Guy Gavriel Kay interview with Raymond H. Thompson >>

Sandy Auden interviewed Guy Gavriel Kay in 2005 and it turned out to be a fascinating interview. In particular, in reference to his novel Tigana, Kay mentions that the books centre-point - erasing a people's name from history - was a metaphor for the well-known actions of tyrannies all through history. Sandy Auden interviews Guy Gavriel Kay in 2005 >>

Guy Gavriel Kay critical acclaim

"A fine, intelligent series. Probably the best of its kind" The British Fantasy Society on The Fionavar Tapestry

"A remarkable achievement. The essence of high fantasy" Locus on The Fionavar Tapestry

"I'm not just impressed by The Summer Tree - I'm overwhelmed" Marion Zimmer Bradley

Abebooks.co.uk

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Video

Audio interview with Guy Gavriel Kay following the release of The Saratine Mosaic.

News

Ysabel makes Globe and Mail best books of 2007 list

Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay was listed aongst the best books of 2007 according to Canada's national newspaper, Globe and Mail. Globe and Mail say of Guy Gavriel Kay and Ysabel - "There are many writers ...

Martin Springett

Martin Springett illustrated the covers of the three books that make up my Fionavar Tapestry trilogy. The book's author was Guy Gavriel Kay and they feature the best cover artwork I have come across s...

Book review - The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay is the final book of three that makes up the Fionavar Tapestry. Although not Guy Gavriel Kay's finest work it is still enjoyable fare that hints at the majestic fan...

Fantasy literature - what exactly is it?

In the following article we will attempt to provide a condensed guide to fantasy literature. This is by no means complete as many sub genres have not been included as we focus on the most popular and ...

The World Fantasy Awards

The World Fantasy Awards is an annual award ceremony that has been running since 1975. The 2006 ceremony was held in Austin, Texas in November and here are the winners. Novel Kafka on the Shore by H...

Ysabel available in the US in early 2008

Guy Gavriel Kay's Ysabel is now out in paperback in Canada and will be in the US in early 2008. It is also just out in French in Quebec from Alire....