Well, at least one confession:
In all my years on this earth, I'd never read any Salman Rushdie.
What in the world was I thinking? I mean, my daughter has been a partisan of his forever—and I take her opinions about books very seriously. Nonetheless, I somehow missed out. Until now. Because as of this moment I'm about halfway through an advance copy of Rushdie's new novel, THE ENCHANTRESS OF FLORENCE, and I'm entirely knocked out.
The press materials describe it as "a dazzling historical novel set in Renaissance Florence and the court of the great Mughal Empire," and that's true, as far as it goes. Me, I'm enchanted by the author's enormous imagination, penetrating eye, and generous heart. THE ENCHANTRESS is a fabulous, fabulist creation, reminding me more of the work of Italo Calvino than I'd ever thought it might.
Which is a very good thing. I mean, my daughter loves Calvino, too...
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Finn Arrives in Trade Paperback
A brand new day, and a brand new cover, a brand new Reader's Guide, and more...
As of March 11, Finn has arrived in trade paperback. It's available at your local independent bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or Borders -- and, of course, at Amazon.com.
Now that a lower-cost edition is available, I'm hoping to see it adopted into more and more college and high school classes. The hardcover has already made a good dent -- and that's a tough road, so the signs are good.
Meanwhile, I'll be spending time online with a novel writing class at UCLA, hoping to pass on some of what I've learned to the next generation of writers. Could there be a better way to celebrate pub day? I can't think of one.
And don't forget, I'm still scheduling telephone visits to book clubs. Contact the Random House Reader's Circle to make your request...
As of March 11, Finn has arrived in trade paperback. It's available at your local independent bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or Borders -- and, of course, at Amazon.com.
Now that a lower-cost edition is available, I'm hoping to see it adopted into more and more college and high school classes. The hardcover has already made a good dent -- and that's a tough road, so the signs are good.
Meanwhile, I'll be spending time online with a novel writing class at UCLA, hoping to pass on some of what I've learned to the next generation of writers. Could there be a better way to celebrate pub day? I can't think of one.
And don't forget, I'm still scheduling telephone visits to book clubs. Contact the Random House Reader's Circle to make your request...
Friday, March 07, 2008
Contest Winners, and an Updated ReadFinn.com
We've picked the winners of the Finn Book Club Menu Contest! Congratulations to the Secret Book Club of Dumfries, VA, and the Pierce County Book Club of Puyallup, WA.
The Secret Book Club's menu included marvelously-themed dishes like Finn's Blue Cheese Grits Soufflé (Blue cheese and grits for Finn's melancholy, gritty character; baked in a soufflé for his distaste, yet desire, for a more privileged life).
Incredible. And no doubt incredibly delicious.
For their efforts, I'll be visiting both clubs (the Secret Book Club in person, and Pierce County by phone), and donating a classroom set of Finn to their local schools.
Thanks to everyone who entered. The responses were uniformly wonderful.
I'm still available to visit book clubs by phone, as often as time permits. To make a request, visit the Random House Readers Circle.
Meanwhile, make sure to visit the newly-updated ReadFinn.com. It's packed with information on Finn and Huckleberry Finn, including an all-new guide for Reading Groups.
The Secret Book Club's menu included marvelously-themed dishes like Finn's Blue Cheese Grits Soufflé (Blue cheese and grits for Finn's melancholy, gritty character; baked in a soufflé for his distaste, yet desire, for a more privileged life).
Incredible. And no doubt incredibly delicious.
For their efforts, I'll be visiting both clubs (the Secret Book Club in person, and Pierce County by phone), and donating a classroom set of Finn to their local schools.
Thanks to everyone who entered. The responses were uniformly wonderful.
I'm still available to visit book clubs by phone, as often as time permits. To make a request, visit the Random House Readers Circle.
Meanwhile, make sure to visit the newly-updated ReadFinn.com. It's packed with information on Finn and Huckleberry Finn, including an all-new guide for Reading Groups.
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