David Park - The Truth Commissioner 
18 March 2016
An adaptation of the novel The Truth Commissioner by the Belfast-born Queen’s graduate and former English teacher at Down High School in Downpatrick, David Park, has been screened on BBC 2 NI. The story imagines a South African style truth commission dealing with some of the complex legacy issues of Northern Ireland’s past.
The powerful political film thriller which is based on Park’s sixth novel, originally premiered at Queen’s Film Theatre at the beginning of February 2016 as part of the Made in Britain season.
Born in Belfast in 1953, David Park grew up in the east of the city and earned a BA in 1975 from Queen's. He has had a distinguished career teaching English in secondary education and in contributing to the development of creativity in the curriculum.
The Truth Commissioner was written in 2008 and published by Bloomsbury Publishing UK. It envisages a truth and reconciliation process, similar to that in South Africa, taking place in Northern Ireland through the lives of four individuals who become intricately linked through a common, yet largely concealed past. Broadcast previously on Radio 4's 'Book at Bedtime' it won the Christopher Ewarts-Biggs Memorial Prize, which recognises works that promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland.
Park’s previous works have been critically acclaimed and have won, or been shortlisted, a number of major literary awards. His first book, The Healing (1992), won the Authors' Club First Novel Award and the University of Ulster McCrea Literary Award. Set against a background of sectarian conflict, it describes the search for personal and communal healing. Further titles include The Rye Man (1994) and Stone Kingdoms (1996), set in both Ireland and Africa and which also won the McCrea Literary Award.
His 2002 novel The Big Snow was awarded the Belfast Arts Award for Literature. Two years later, his book Swallowing the Sun was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award, the Irish Novel of the Year Award and for the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize.
In June 2008, David Park was awarded the American Ireland Fund Literary Award for his contribution to Irish Literature.
The Light of Amsterdam (2012) was shortlisted for the 2014 International IMPAC Prize, and most recently, The Poets' Wives (2014) was selected as Belfast's choice for One City One Book 2014.
David Park has received a Major Artist Award from the Arts Council and been shortlisted for the Irish Novel of the Year three times. Last year, he was long listed for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award.
The Truth Commissioner stars Queen’s graduate Brid Brennan, BA 1976, in the role of Catherine Gilroy. Born in Belfast in 1955, Brid is also known for Brooklyn (2015), Shadow Dancer (2012) and Excalibur (1981).
An interview with David Park by 1992 MSSc Queen’s graduate Malachi O'Doherty, in which the author describes The Truth Commissioner as an ‘imaginative projection’ is available here.
To find out more about studying English Literature at Queen's visit the School of English website.
General inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office; telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Main photo credit: Bobbie Hanvey; jacket image courtesy of Bloomsbury Publishing UK.
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