Hello Gentle Reader
Paul Sussman a thriller writer whose work was often called an ‘intelligent readers answers to Dan Browns ‘Da Vinci Code.’’ According to the author’s wife, who had shared the terrible news with fans, Paul Sussman suffered a raptured aneurysm and died suddenly. Paul Sussman’s life has been extraordinary in its relatively short forty five years. According to “The Guardian,” who Paul Sussman was also a former freelance contributor too, Paul Sussman had odd jobs, such as a gravedigger in France, a cigar seller in Harrods, and had toured all of Europe with the production of ‘James and the Giant Peach.’ Paul Sussman also contributed to ‘The Independent,’ ‘The Daily Standard,’ and ‘CNN,’s website – all of that before he started working for ‘The Big Issue,’ for seven years; and in nineteen-ninety eight Paul Sussman’s deep love of archeology landed him an invitation to travel and participate in a dig at the Valley of the Kings. Paul Sussman leaves behind four books of fiction – one due to come out shortly (in Canada November six).
Ray Bradbury also at the age of ninety one has also passed away recently. Known for his forays into the deep genre fiction of science fiction, fantasy and horror, Ray Bradbury was a staunch supporter of genre’s merits of entertainment, and a man renown in the world of books, in and outside of the genre(s) that he wrote in. His most popular and well known book “Fahrenheit-451,” discusses a futurist world were books are obsolete ignorance is encouraged, and censorship widespread. With it Ray Bradbury, had solidified the Cold War, and the paranoia surrounding it. Ray Bradbury however wrote for the television as well. Including “The Twilight Zone,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Now dead, Ray Bradbury will be mourned by his fans and the genre community and the literary world, for which he had been a part of for so long. However I doubt personally that Ray Bradbury will be forgotten.
On lighter yet bittersweet note, the Orange Prize for two-thousand and twelve has been awarded, but with the excitement, there is also a sense of a bitter bite to this as well. Orange telecommunications is withdrawing its sponsorship to focus on film in the United Kingdom. However this may not be an end to the prize itself; however its future is still uncertain. Madeline Miller, a teacher of Latin and Greek, with her debut novel “The Song of Achilles,” has won the prize this year. Many have said that the novel itself has come out and been a product of circumstances, with Greek myths always a place of inspiration for writers, and recently Homer’s “Iliad,” was back on the market, in a edition, and advertised, as if it was a new release. In many ways the winning of this award can be likened or compared to Hilary Mantel’s novel “Wolf Hall,” winning The Booker prize in two thousand and nine, as her novel about Thomas Cromwell is a part of the trend and rejuvenation into the history of King Henry the VIII with such shows as “The Tudors.” A judge for the Orange Prize, has stood by the choice, saying that Miller brings a new freshness to an age old story, and allows for younger generations to become acquainted with the story itself. This win comes to quite a surprise to many as Madeline Miller was up against former Booker winner Anne Enright with her novel “The Forgotten Waltz,” as well as the favoured writer this year Cynthia Ozick and her Henry James inspired novel “Foreign Bodies,” and former Orange Prize winner Ann Patchett with her novel “Bel Canto.” In many ways congratulations are in order to Ms. Madeline Miller, and her debut novel that breathes fresh air into an ancient story.
Continuing with the coverage of literary awards, the IMPAC Literary Dublin Award has also announced (quite some time ago) its own shortlist for two thousand and twelve. Such authors like Herta Müller and Orhan Pamuk as well as the cantankerous French man of letters Michel Houellebecq, have received the award. This year’s shortlisted authors include Jennifer Egan and her award winning novel “A Visit from the Goon Squad.” Two translated novels have also made the cut. The first being from a Israeli author Yishai Sarid and his novel “Limassoi,” about a secret service agent who is assigned an undercover mission as a novelist to spy on a Palestine poets terrorist son. Brazil’s Cristovão Tezza and his novel “The Eternal Son,” about a father and his down syndrome child (reminds me a lot about something Kenzaburo Oe may have written). David Bergen’s novel “The Matter with Morris,” about a columnist who searches for meaning in his life, and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Aminatta Forna who won the commonwealth prize with her novel “The Memory of Love.” A Scottish writer who follows in the same vein of Irvine Welsh has written a novel about the death of an alcoholic and the junkies that surround him in “Even the Dogs.” Next comes another American author with his very American novel “Lean on Pete,” written by Willy Vlautin recounts the story of a boy and his horse (hi-ho Silver!). Tim Pears novel “Landed,” is about a man returning to the Welsh borders of his childhood. The last novel “Rocks in the Belly,” recounts a child’s neglect and perceived neglect as his mother fosters other boys and the jealousy that builds up like a rotting fungi in his stomach, and poisons his life.
It’ll be interesting to see who wins the Prize, and furthers the career of already established authors or a debut novelist. On June Thirteenth the prize winner will be announced.
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
*And Remember: Downloading Books Illegally is Thievery and Wrong.*
M. Mary
