Conville & Walsh

As reported in today’s Bookseller, Luke Jennings’ BLOOD KNOTS has been shortlisted for this year’s Samuel Johnson prize.

BLOOD KNOTS takes us back to Luke Jennings’ childhood in 1960s Sussex, where he was fascinated by the rivers and lakes around his home. Beneath their surfaces, it seemed to him, waited alien and mysterious worlds. With library books as his guide, he applied himself to the task of learning to fish.

His progress was slow, and for years he caught nothing. But then a series of teachers presented themselves, including an inspirational young Intelligence officer, from whom he learnt stealth, deception and the art of the dry fly. So began an enlightening but often dark-shadowed journey of discovery. It would lead to bright streams and wild country, but would end with his mentor’s capture, torture and execution by the IRA.

BLOOD KNOTS is about angling, about great fish caught and lost, but it is also about friendship, honour and coming of age.

The BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction was founded in 1999 and aims to reward the best of non-fiction in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts. Evan Davis, chair of the judges, economist, and presenter of Radio 4 Today, said: “We’ve settled on an extraordinarily eclectic selection of books which defies simplistic categorisation. There is something for everyone, whether it be maths or fishing. Perhaps the only common feature of these books is the passion and sheer enthusiasm of the authors for their subjects.”

The judges will announce the winner of the prize at an awards ceremony on 1st July at the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA). The winner will receive £20,000, and each of the five shortlisted authors, £1,000.

The full shortlist is below: