AtD - ARCs

[jbor at bigpond.com]

On 13/10/2006:

> Something as seemingly innocent as the wording in the author's book 
> description or the publisher's press releases can have some very real 
> effects on the later interpretations of the book. Perhaps it shouldn't 
> be that way. It would be nice if the literary text was autonomous and 
> if we could proceed completely unbiased, but sadly, it doesn't work 
> that way.

No, no text, literary or otherwise, is ever autonomous.

The pre-publication marketing for AtD has been very successful, and 
very cost-effective, as pointed out back when the 
now-you-see-it-now-you-don't Book Description materialised. My guess is 
that the Slate journo was in on it, or played for a dupe. The AP Report 
was picked up pretty much everywhere, followed by several weeks where 
new tidbits came down the line every few days (the excerpt, the cover). 
Now the galleys - the first line is out there, next there'll be leaks 
re. themes and content. Slow burn until publication.

The money saved on advertising has been channelled into other things, 
like the personalising of the ARCs. Penguin isn't incompetent, and AtD 
isn't a novel they would be likely to forget is coming, or neglect.

I don't imagine Pynchon is interested in the NBA, or any other award 
for that matter. I doubt he'd accept the Nobel if he was ever offered 
it, and I think the Nobel people realise that, and so probably won't 
even try to give it him. My guess is that Updike or Roth will be the 
next US recipient.

best
rob j