Dear Madame Arcati
I was extremely disappointed when Mr Haslam decided not to publish his autobiography after all. I was all set to review it for a posh broadsheet newspaper in what the lit ed called 'a fascinating match.'
Perhaps Duncan will give us his memoirs instead.
Susan
7 comments:
Oh come on, since when do critics need to read a book before reviewing it ?
Give it time and it will be out. He's still working on it to bring it more up to date.
It's certainly true that I have reviewed books without first reading them - Tina Brown's Diana for instance. Its pink covers fascinated me more than the subject. When I read it post-review I was astonished at my premonitions: nothing in it surprised me, but then I read it for Tina's style not the content.
I am certain Susan Hill has read every book she has ever reviewed. She's like that.
http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/HB-40570/Redeeming-Features.htm
According to that link, the publication date is now January 2010... although it states the book has been "abandoned".
Hmm... any thoughts?
I'd guess it's a made-up date - he doesn't even have a publisher so far as I know. More to the point, there seems to be no good reason given why he abandoned publication. Arcati will get to the truth.
"Redeeming Features" is being published by Knopf in 2009, according to Vanity Fair. As for why it's been delayed so long, one would think, given Mr Haslam's candour, lawyers have been combing it for any perceived libel. No mystery there.
Thank you for this information - I have commented on the VF piece in a post for Aug 2. What is still not explained is why Haslam withdrew his book from Weidenfeld in the first place and now ends up at a US publisher.
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