O'Hagan's 'unforgettable' Mayflies named Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan (Faber), a "brilliantly witty and beautifully told tale", has been named Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2021.

The novel, which was published in September, tells of the friendship between James and Tully, ranging from boyhood in a small Scottish town in the 1980s to middle-age, when Tully is diagnosed with terminal illness. The story was inspired by the close and enduring bonds formed in the author’s youth and the soundtrack that accompanied them. 

O'Hagan said: “I am truly delighted that Mayflies has been selected by Waterstones as its Scottish Book of the Year. For an author, one of the great joys is to see a book being taken up by individual shops and individual booksellers, making every effort to put it into the hands of customers. This novel is so personal to me and the reaction of readers has been overwhelming. I feel a huge sense of gratitude to all Waterstones booksellers in Scotland.”

Mayflies has been a firm bookseller favourite since its publication and was Waterstones Scottish Book Of The Month in June 2021. Rebekah Carruthers, of Waterstones Dunfermline, commented: "Mayflies captures the essence of friendships perfectly; from wild youth to middle age, it's a brilliantly witty and beautifully told tale of the lengths we will go to help those we love. I adored the dynamic between Tully and Jimmy, and their friendship is one that we can all relate to. It will leave you wanting to call your best friend for a catch up as soon as you're finished reading."

Angie Crawford, Waterstones Scottish buying manager, added: “Akin to a football game, Mayflies is a novel of two parts. The first half is a rollick through the Eighties and explores the friendships we cement in our teenage years. The second half takes these friendships and tests them to the limit. Funny and deeply moving, this novel is a masterpiece — a love letter to music, growing up in Eighties Scotland and being real. A truly unforgettable read.”

Waterstones offers a special edition of Mayflies containing an exclusive essay by Andrew O’Hagan titled "The Jukebox", which outlines his inspiration behind the novel.

The Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year award specifically champions books by authors based there, or titles that have a strong Scottish setting. Previous recipients include Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (Picador).