Friday, June 22, 2007

Page Buoy

Thanks For The Book Review, Dan

I guess every novelist writes in the hope of being recognised and (perhaps) dreams of being on a bestseller list. I was extremely fortunate that my debut novel `Vegemite Vindaloo', published by Penguin Books India, got some great media reviews and was on bestseller lists from July until late December last year. The best reward of all was being at No. 3 on one list, with the Booker Prize winner at No. 1 and two giants - Frederick Forsyth and Jeffrey Archer - below me.

But it's been equally rewarding to see a few bloggers ordering the book and reviewing it. Dan was kind enough to review it this week. Here is an extract from his post.

``Here is my review: GET IT. Honestly, I cannot recall a time that a book made me laugh out loud on a crowded train and I didn't care. The stares I received from others was interesting but again, I didn't care. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a good read. (might I add, its the second book that actually made my eyes well up ....just a little though, ha). ''

11 comments:

Papoosue said...

Isn't that lovely David? Nice to have made a difference to someone don't you think? (One of these days I will read your book too - I'm sure it will be worth waiting for).

david mcmahon said...

Hi Papoosue,

Yes, I thought it was very generous of Dan to share his opinion on a blogpost. And it is (as you say) very nice to think that a piece of writing has made a difference.

Hope you're chilling out (as much as possible) until your results.

Cheers

David

Bart said...

I was as happy to have him put me in the same breath as you. When he made comment at wanting to be half the writer that you and I are, I was like, whoa.

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Well, this is a bit of a sore point with me. Having waited the best part of two weeks to receive my copy, I foolishly told my eldest of my frustration. "umm." he said. "-Sorry."

??

I always order books on-line, for all of us. Recognising the familiar package, Matt paid no heed as to whom it was addressed to, just opened it. It's in his locker at school. He promises to return it when he's finished.. on the up-side, I'm suddenly seen as cool to know the guy who's written it (although he's not sure whether to believe me on that). Oh, and yes, apparently it's a REALLY good read..

Cuckoo said...

I am yet to get my copy. :((( And the reviews I am reading about the book make me do Grrrrrr..
Why am I so late to get it ?

Btw, when is your second novel coming up ? Is it with the same publishers ? I know you've finished writing it.
Any lights on it or is it going to be a mystery for us ?

Papoosue said...

Hi David and thanks for your comments on the blog. I am lacking any sort of creative inspiration at all lately, so I made myself go and make some felt this morning - can you believe I've never done this before? Anyway, it turned out not too badly, but there is obvious room for improvement! I am trying to chill David, but perhaps I'm trying to hard!

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Mummy read to page 62 in one go. She has trouble sleeping and sometimes will read a few pages of a book and then fall asleep. It helps switch her head off, she says. Well, yours was too good- it kept her awake!!! By page 62 it was 4am so she got up. Now it's stictly a wide-awake book, not to be read when trying to get to sleep. If you could see the pile of read-bed-books by her bed, you'll see that's quite a compliment.

;@}

ps.
the Bear posse gave it 9/10

pps.
(no bears)

david mcmahon said...

Hi Cuckoo,

Hope you find a copy - then you can tell me what you think of it.

I'm just wrapping up the second novel. No, I won't be too secretive about it, but I can tell you (whisper, whisper) it is a love story.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Papoosue,

Saw your post about felting. Nice work.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi BTBear,

What a lovely comment. Please tell your Mum I'm sorry the book kept her awake. And I'm thrilled with the score!

Cheers

David

Mrs Mac said...

Hi David,

I loved the imagery of India, the descriptions, so I didn't mind at all being kept awake!

I shall get another copy sent to my sister as she is just starting to follow Aussie-rules football. My mum used to like that, too. They used to show it here really late. I haven't seen it in a long time though, despite the dozens of extra channels we now get here. Grrr! (Although, I do worry that the interest of my two relations in this sport is to do with very very short shorts).

Anyway, I have had to put your book on hold as I left it behind at mum's last weekend. And now, she's reading it. LOL.

I should get it back next weekend but by then I shall have to start it again as I won't know who's who.

It can take a long time to get a book read round here....