Book firm apologises to Jonathan Franzen for publishing wrong version of novel

HarperCollins UK has apologised to Jonathan Franzen, author of bestselling novel The Corrections, after printing a version of his latest book, Freedom, littered with errors.
By Alastair Jamieson
Published: The Telegraph, 02 Oct 2010

The book was published with around 50 punctuation and spelling mistakes after a typesetter sent the incorrect edition from their computer.


Victoria Barnsley, chief executive of publisher HarperCollins UK, said: ''I'd like to apologise profusely to Jonathan, his readers and our customers that our first edition of Freedom does not reflect the author's final corrected version of the novel.
''We are hugely appreciative of Jonathan's patience and utter professionalism over this.''

About 8,000 copies have already been sold, out of a total circulation of 80,000.
Readers who are unhappy can exchange their book for a corrected edition by calling a special hotline on 0800 542 0677.
Ms Barnsley said: ''We are doing everything in our power to reprint the book over the weekend and rush it out into the shops early next week.

''I would urge readers to wait until then to buy the book, and we are, of course, very happy to replace any first edition copies that have been bought, with an updated edition as soon as it is available.''

Mr Franzen, 51, received critical acclaim for his 2001 novel The Corrections. It sold nearly three million copies and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.