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Great review of High John the Conqueror in yesterday's Guardian Review. Congratulations, Jim!
Emma
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Gosh, yes - I must get hold of a copy!
Frances
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Ooh thanks folks - yes, it was the best so far, and probably the last I can expect on this go-round (before Vintage reprint next year) so it was good to go out on such a high note, with a reviewer who was in tune with the book.
I knew it was going to be in this week, and I have to say, I opened the Guardian with one hand and was peeping through the fingers of the other ...
Off to fiddle the night away (on a violin before you ask ...)
Jim
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Jim, a colleague at work saw your book on my desk and asked if he could borrow it. I had a moment of dilemma – wanted to tell him to buy his own copy – but it seemed churlish, so I lent it to him. He loved it and, when I said I’d pass that on to the author, he was chuffed to bits to be able to send you the message. He said he’ll definitely buy your next one… and so will I.
Dee
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No problem, Dee. We all do that with books to some extent - and newspaper readership is always calculated as higher than sales. If it spreads the word, it's all to the good.
Anyway, as someone who buys most of his books second-hand in the Oxfam bookshop in Strutton Ground SW1 (great little shop, by the way) I can hardly complain! You get fairly recent releases in there, too - Random House is not far away, and there are so many Vintage titles there, I wonder if there's an official charity donation thing going on.
All I have to do now is get on with the current one - 500 words a day, rain or shine (except for Holidays of Obligation of course).
Awra best - and thanks for your support and kind words.
Jim
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Dee - I meant to say after I stumbled in from the 'session' last night: please tell your colleague his remarks are much appreciated. You and I both know - I guess we all do round here - how welcome this is.
Jim
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I will, Jim.
Dee
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Congrats, Jim. What a fab review. 'Richly fermented' - nice!
Nik.
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Thanks Nik - yes, it does kind of make the book sound like a compost heap ... but in a way it is.
The Guardian review was easily the most 'in tune' with the book, followed by The Times (which had picture of a dancing skeleton or some such to go along with it) and Nicholas Royle in the Independent on Sunday. Those I'd say were the top 3. Let's forget the one in 'What's on in Leeds' (or whatever it's called). It's funny how one person's (i.e. mine) finely-judged non-linear narrative structure becomes someone else's lack of forward momentum.
But hey, that's showbusiness!
Jim
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Well done Jim, I've yet to buy a copy but I will (I'm sure it will happily ferment a few days longer on the shelf!!
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Thanks, Sibelius. (Never thought I'd find myself writing THAT.) Your pledge to become a patron of the arts with specific reference to my cultural product is very much appreciated. The book is laden with surplus value, so you should get your money's worth. There's always a chance you might not like the book (although here's hoping) for 'tis true no book can please all readers, but you will get your money's worth. Yes, the book will be sticking around for a while and will be out in mass-market paperback next year (Trade P. at the moment)from Vintage.
Awra best
Jim
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It's a great book, totally original, brilliantly written. I'm glad to see it getting the reviews it deserves. I saw it in Foyles yesterday Jim, cover prominently displayed. I do spend to much time (and money) in Foyles. I think I need some kind of hypno-therapy to stop me going in there.
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Roger, if you spend money in Foyles I hope you use your 15% discount to the full!
Emma
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Thanks for that Roger - yes, it's 'cover out' in a few stores, although it has yet to make an appearance in Basingstoke and Salisbury, so I'm told. Not sure yet where on the Wheel of Fortune I'm located, but time will disabuse me of any fancy notions I guess.
Jim
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