Biography of Author

Jim Yates, 58, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and has lived in Ireland since 1974. He is married with three children.

He is an artist and interior decorator.

This is his first novel.

In the mid eighties he managed Pharaohs, an art gallery in Inchicore, Dublin as well as organizing exhibitions throughout Ireland. He has also exhibited in London, Germany and Bahrain. His artwork has taken a back seat over the last five years as he worked on Oh! Père Lachaise.

He has used his interest in the arts to help him construct and compose Oh! Père Lachaise. Most of the characters in the tale have had some influence on him one way or another. His artistic influences include Goya, Dali, Rembrandt, Ingres, Turner and William Blake. On the music side: The Kinks, Ray Charles, The Doors, The Beatles, Chopin and Rossini. His literary interests are wide and include: George Orwell, Dickens, George Sand, Voltaire, Swift and Oscar Wilde.

He is a regular contributor to the letter pages of Irish and British Papers.

Oh! Père Lachaise, being a historical satire has involved extensive research with umpteen visits to Paris. For those interested in its construction and historical nature the principle research notes and venues can be found on the Bibliographical Research page.

Book Launch

The hardback edition of Oh! Père Lachaise was launched in September 2007 at the Oscar Wilde House, I Merrion Square, The American College, Dublin, by Mary O'Rouke, member of the Irish Parliment.

Play

Oh! Père Lachaise

Dublin actor and playwright Victor Fieldman is in the process of adapting Oh! Père Lachaise into a play.

Opera

Oh! Père Lachaise

Consent has been granted to Flora Yeghoimians, of Brussels, Belgium to adapt Oh! Père Lachaise into a libretto.

French Translation  

Agnes Hababou, a Parisian now living in Carcassonne, France is translating Oh! Père Lachaise into French. It is hoped that this edition will be ready for the 2009 Christmas market.

If you have any enquiries please email: jimmiyates@gmail.com