A life in dates
- 21 November 1932: Born – Liverpool, Lancashire, England
- 1996: Every Man for Himself – Novel
- 1996: Every Man for Himself – Shortlist, The Booker Prize
- 1998: Master Georgie – Novel
- 1998: Master Georgie – Shortlist, The Booker Prize
- 2001: According to Queeney – Novel
- 2001: According to Queeney – Longlist, The Booker Prize
- 2 July 2010: Died – London, England, Aged 77.