Mr Loverman
 First edition | |
| Author | Bernardine Evaristo |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Penguin (UK); Akashic Books (USA) |
| Publication date | August 2013 (UK); April 2014 (USA) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-1617752896 |
| Preceded by | Hello Mum |
| Followed by | Girl, Woman, Other |
Mr Loverman is the seventh novel written by British-Nigerian author Bernardine Evaristo. Published by Penguin Books, UK, in 2013[1] and Akashic Books, US, in 2014,[2][3] Mr Loverman explores the life of Britain's older Caribbean community, through the perspective of a 74-year-old Antiguan-Londoner and closet homosexual, and his wife Carmel whose voice we hear in alternate chapters.
Reception
The novel was positively reviewed in The Guardian.[4] In 2014, Mr Loverman won the Jerwood Uncovered Prize.[5]
In 2024, Bernardine Evaristo wrote in The Guardian about how she created Barrington's Caribbean voice and that Carmel's chapters were added to the novel at a late stage after feedback from the publisher.[6]
Adaptation
In June 2023, the BBC and Fable Pictures announced an adaptation of the novel into an eight-part television series.[7] The series began broadcasting on 14 October 2024, and starred Lennie James, Ariyon Bakare and Sharon D. Clarke.[8][9] In 2025, Lennie James won a BAFTA and the Royal Televsion Society Programme Award for his leading role[10]. The BAFTA for supporting actor was awarded to Ariyon Bakare in the same year.
References
- ↑ Evaristo, Bernardine. Mr Loverman. Penguin Books. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ↑ Evaristo, Bernardine. Mr. Loverman. Akashic Books. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ↑ "Books". The Bernardine Evaristo website. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ↑ Gee, Maggie (31 August 2013). "Mr Loverman Review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ↑ "Jerwood Foundation". Jerwood Prize website. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ↑ Evaristo, Bernardine (12 October 2024). "'I had a crush on him': Bernardine Evaristo on writing Mr Loverman". The Guardian.
- ↑ "BBC announces new drama Mr Loverman, starring Lennie James and adapted from the novel by Bernardine Evaristo". BBC. 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ↑ Mangan, Lucy (14 October 2024). "Mr Loverman review – magnificent TV that will tear your heart open". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ Tate, Gabriel (4 November 2024). "Mr Loverman, finale review: a fittingly messy and heart-rending end to a fantastic drama". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ Loffhagen, Emma (9 May 2025). "'There's a battle going on for the soul of America': actor Lennie James on political turmoil, zombie terrors and being a black Brit in the US". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 June 2026.