Thursday, January 10, 2008


MISCELLANEOUS BOOK THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD

MR.PIP
Lloyd Jones The Dial Press $20

As I already have the NZ, Australian & UK editions of the Man Booker Prize shortlisted title I thought I should complete the collection so have bought a copy of Dial Press’ edition the cover treatment for which is very different to the others.


THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF HORACE RUMPOLE
John Mortimer Viking H/C NZ$45

I noticed in the US that this title is published as Rumpole Misbehaves which seems to be a tidier title. The UK title is however especially relevant to the story.
It is also published here in the US under the Viking imprint and is US$23.95.
This is vintage Rumpole and he is experiencing all his usual problems with “she who must be obeyed”, his chamber colleagues, and various judges while continuing to drink rather poor Claret. All very funny and entertaining but I must say I felt rather shortchanged on this occasion. Even with larger than usual typography, very wide page margins and huge spaces at chapter beginnings and endings (white space abounds) the book still runs to less than 200 pages and really at best could be described a novella that can be read in a couple of hours. Not good enough John Mortimer.
For a writer with almost 50 books and some 14 plays to his credit he and his publishers could have treated the punters to a better deal.


IT’S NOT WHAT YOU’VE GOT!
Dr.Wayne Dyer with Kristina Tracy
Hay House Inc. $15.95

Sub-titled “Lessons for Kids on Money and Abundance” the authors have the view that a child’s earliest thoughts and perceptions on these subjects are those likely to last them through life and so they have set out not to provide a manual on spending and saving but rather a positive, holistic approach to the meaning of money. And by and large I think it works.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Having finally read Mister Pip over the Xmas break, I just love this Dial Press cover!