Made in America

[Andrew Dinn]

Nigel E. Richardson writes:

> PS. Just flown back from New York, having picked up the obligatory copy
> of INFINITE JEST at Tower Records (25% off). No sign of it or any of his
> previous works appearing in the UK. Noticed while I was there that Will
> Self's books are now out in the USA. He's probably the closest thing we've
> got to Wallace at the moment, although a hell of a lot more irritating (in
> person and in his writing). Be interested to know what you guys think of
> his stuff...

I got an American printing of `The Broom of the System' (Avon Fiction)
from Waterstones in Edinburgh. They also had a US version of the short
story collection `The Girl with the Curious Hair'. And they ordered me
IJ too. Much as I prefer to shop at smaller book stores - seeing my
favourite `local' in Watford crushed under the weight of a tacky
Dillons was heartbreaking - even so, Waterstones seem to do a good job
when it comes to US imports - lots in stock and orders arrive in 2-3
weeks.

As for Will Self, I have rarely read such unremittingly vacuous,
garbage (outside of mainstream Usenet, that is :-). He is indeed aptly
named - an OED entry should be reserved specially for him under the
keyword `smug'. The triumph of (self-)contentedness over style.


Andrew Dinn
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And though Earthliness forget you,
To the stilled Earth say:  I flow.
To the rushing water speak:  I am.