The Other Works of JK Rowling
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The Other Works of JK Rowling
I don't know that this goes in Book Recommendations as much as the I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT TO READ THIS thread, but JK Rowling's new book.
Time to pre-order!
[ETA particle_person - Okay we have a thread for non-HP Rowling books.]
Time to pre-order!
[ETA particle_person - Okay we have a thread for non-HP Rowling books.]
maxell131313- Posts : 599
Join date : 2011-10-21
The Other Works of JK Rowling
The Kindle price is $20? That is the most expensive e-book I have ever seen (that was not a textbook).
Last edited by particle_person on Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:59 am; edited 1 time in total
particle_person- Tech Support
- Posts : 1973
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I saw "New book from JKR" and went to directly to pre-order without even reading the description. [/fangirl]
jstilwe- Posts : 458
Join date : 2011-10-21
Age : 45
Location : Georgia, US
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I'm looking forward to this, but at the same time I feel bad for JKR: the scrutiny on this new book will be intense. It's really her sophomore effort, if you look at Harry Potter as one long book, which in a sense it is. I hope reviewers and readers are fair to her, without the knives out to find fault with something that dares not to be Harry Potter, or lauding it simply because it's from the creator of Harry Potter.
Luthien- Posts : 204
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Whatever the critics say, the book will be a hit; all of us Potter fanboys and girls will see to that. If the book isn't especially good from a literary perspective, the one(s) after might not have impressive sales, but I doubt that really matters to her at this stage in her life with her mountains of cash and success.
And yes, I've also pre-ordered it without even reading the synopsis.
And yes, I've also pre-ordered it without even reading the synopsis.
epudom- Posts : 222
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Well, it's supposed to be comic and I always thought comedy was one of JKR's strengths. I think it'll do well.
big chicken- Posts : 683
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
There are advantages to working in a bookshop. We just received some information about the new book. By information, I don't mean plot or any sort of content, of course. I'm talking about release date and embargo details. It will go on sale Thursday 27.9, 8 am British Summer Time. But what amuses me is the hoops that need to be jumped through to receive it and store it before then. You have to print out, fill in, and fax a form to the distributors, saying you won't even open the carton before time.
However, even given that, you have to buy in cartons of 12. I'm in a specialty bookshop, we rarely buy more than four of any title, which includes proven sellers. Can I just order one for myself? Not if I want it on the 27th. Point of sale material - those cardboard stands, posters, bookmarks - will be delivered by 11.9. ABSOLUTELY NOT AFTER!
Then there's some information about considerations. Make sure the all the staff know about these hoops. They can't open the specially marked box before then. In fact, you need to put it in a secure location. You can move the books from the 'secure location' to the actual shop floor 30 minutes beforehand, but don't you dare open it before time. The penalty for breaching all these conditions? Having your supply of these cut off, and maybe even having to return the then-unsold copies.
Then, if you're planning to make an event out of it, will you need help with crowd control?
I see this kind of thing a few times a year. It's quite amazing. While I suppose it's fair to make sure everyone can get it at the exact same time, it still feels completely ridiculous. Also, have there ever been any court cases resulting from breaking this kind of embargo?
However, even given that, you have to buy in cartons of 12. I'm in a specialty bookshop, we rarely buy more than four of any title, which includes proven sellers. Can I just order one for myself? Not if I want it on the 27th. Point of sale material - those cardboard stands, posters, bookmarks - will be delivered by 11.9. ABSOLUTELY NOT AFTER!
Then there's some information about considerations. Make sure the all the staff know about these hoops. They can't open the specially marked box before then. In fact, you need to put it in a secure location. You can move the books from the 'secure location' to the actual shop floor 30 minutes beforehand, but don't you dare open it before time. The penalty for breaching all these conditions? Having your supply of these cut off, and maybe even having to return the then-unsold copies.
Then, if you're planning to make an event out of it, will you need help with crowd control?
I see this kind of thing a few times a year. It's quite amazing. While I suppose it's fair to make sure everyone can get it at the exact same time, it still feels completely ridiculous. Also, have there ever been any court cases resulting from breaking this kind of embargo?
Red Wolf- Posts : 710
Join date : 2011-11-01
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Sounds like the hoops required for the HP books. As for court cases, I don't think so but I've never really paid attention. In order to get the books you have to sign an agreement saying you agree to these conditions and the penalty for failure to comply. Big chains or newspapers probably get a slap on the wrist fine. If the NYT's book reviewer decides she's going to review the book, no way is Little Brown & its fellow Hatchette companies going to refuse her copies of books in the future. It's the independent bookstores and small papers who'd suffer the most if they broke the agreement.
When the last HP book came out, I read an interview with someone who'd bought the book a few days early from a small bookstore. He declined to name teh store saying he didn't want the store to be penalized because he felt it had been an honest mistake.
When the last HP book came out, I read an interview with someone who'd bought the book a few days early from a small bookstore. He declined to name teh store saying he didn't want the store to be penalized because he felt it had been an honest mistake.
big chicken- Posts : 683
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Wow that IS ridiculous. And not really fair to small independent book stores. I'm excited to read this and everything, but nothing like I was for the last few Harry Potters. I don't know any of these characters yet. I'm not going to get it at midnight, run from the bookstore with my fingers in my ears, take a day off work and spend 14 straight hours of media blackout devouring it. (Not that there's anything wrong with people who do plan to do that.)
Jamie- Posts : 151
Join date : 2011-10-24
Age : 42
Location : Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I worked at a bookstore for a while in college, and I remember a few of those. When The Green Mile was coming out (in serialized form, if you'll remember, in six tiny paperbacks), we had similar orders about when exactly we were allowed to put them out or even open the carton. Same with The Lost World (Jurassic Park sequel).
Instant Monkeys- Posts : 1783
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
...That book sounds really good. I'd read that if it weren't J.K. Rowling.
I like her. I really do. I feel somehow as if I'd enjoy having her as a friend. I know that's a weird thing to say, and it's not even fannish because even though I'm a fan of Harry Potter, I'm not A Harry Potter Fan (not that there's anything wrong with that; I am A Fan of many things). She just seems thoughtful in a way that I like.
I like her. I really do. I feel somehow as if I'd enjoy having her as a friend. I know that's a weird thing to say, and it's not even fannish because even though I'm a fan of Harry Potter, I'm not A Harry Potter Fan (not that there's anything wrong with that; I am A Fan of many things). She just seems thoughtful in a way that I like.
Instant Monkeys- Posts : 1783
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
"...an odd mash-up of a dark soap opera like “Peyton Place” with one of those very British Barbara Pym novels, depicting small-town, circumscribed lives."
So Michiko Kakutani hates it, but can I say that Peyton Place meets Barbara Pym sounds awesome? I am a massive fan of Barbara Pym and may actually read this novel now!
Paris, Texas- Posts : 140
Join date : 2011-10-28
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I find Michiko Kakutani's opinions on books to be suspect (the Armond White of lit crit), so that doesn't exactly deter me from reading.
ActonBell- Posts : 682
Join date : 2011-11-03
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Well, the first 15 pages are better than he makes them out to be. Though the most compelling scene so far was the one mostly narrated from the POV of a teenage boy, if you're desperate to find Rowling's limitations. There are a fuckload of characters so far and the chapter I'm about to start begins with a brand new lady, so for me, keeping track of who's who is going to be a challenge. Except for Andrew the teen who hates his jackhole dad, I think I might remember him.
It's obviously not so compelling that I was unable to put it down, but OTOH, it's not like there's characters I've read about before or care about or an ongoing magical war.
It's obviously not so compelling that I was unable to put it down, but OTOH, it's not like there's characters I've read about before or care about or an ongoing magical war.
Poubelle- Posts : 691
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
It's waiting for me at the library! I'll have to go pick it up today or tomorrow...
Algae- Posts : 368
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Yeah...I didn't like it. At all. I think HP is amazing, and that JKR is a very talented writer, but I got about 100 pages in before I jumped ship. The story was dull, and I didn't care about any of the characters (well, Andrew was somewhat entertaining, but other than that? Ugh.) Perhaps I just didn't "get" it, but I stopped reading because nothing about it was enjoyable. Disappointing.
Crowbridge- Posts : 705
Join date : 2011-11-16
Location : California
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I don't think it was supposed to be enjoyable. It was more of a character study than an actual story. I liked it - she really drew some portraits of people that felt true - but it's not going to be a book I reread. What did the quote "They're all very unpleasant people" come from? I kept thinking that throughout the book.
It did take me quite some time to get into it. I read about 60 pages, set it aside for a while, and when I was more ready for it (since I knew it was a darker, grimmer book), read the whole thing in a day and a half.
It did take me quite some time to get into it. I read about 60 pages, set it aside for a while, and when I was more ready for it (since I knew it was a darker, grimmer book), read the whole thing in a day and a half.
Algae- Posts : 368
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Got confused over what thread I'm in.
big chicken- Posts : 683
Join date : 2011-10-21
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Maybe "engrossing" is the word I should have used. TCV just felt like a chore to me.Algae wrote:I don't think it was supposed to be enjoyable.
Crowbridge- Posts : 705
Join date : 2011-11-16
Location : California
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
I'm about a third of the way do far and I'm enjoying it; I like the fact that I'm this far into it and don't really know if there is anyone I should be rooting for. I'm finding a couple of the characters really intriguing (especially Krystal) and like the way it is showing the seedy underbelly of a small English town.
epudom- Posts : 222
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Finished it today.
- Spoiler:
- Christ, what a downer of an ending.
Crackie- Posts : 73
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Can you put the ending in spoilers? I have no idea what happens, but I'm curious.
Crowbridge- Posts : 705
Join date : 2011-11-16
Location : California
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Rocks fall, everyone dies!
Not really.
I'm sure I left out things.
Not really.
- Spoiler:
- There is a lot of death, though.
Krystal decides the best way to protect her brother is to get pregnant so she can get her own house so she can keep her brother. She meets Fats for sex, but Robbie is with them. They fob him off with crisps and chocolate and expect him to stay still, but he gets thirsty and wanders to the river, where he falls in. Sukhvinder is walking nearby, so she jumps in, but is too late to save him. At the hospital, her parents discover that she's been cutting herself.
Krystal is pretty much devastated by his death and feelings of guilt, so she gets taken home and Terri yells at her. She decides she doesn't want to feel any more pain, so she takes the rest of Terri's heroin. It is (purposely) too much for her and she dies of an overdose. Everyone says they knew she was a bad one all along.
Fats is scared by the drowning and the fact that he was schtupping Krystal while it happened and takes the guilt for all of the Ghost_of_Barry_Fairbrother posts. His parents decide to get him counseling. Arf's family is moving to Reading.
Meanwhile, Shirley, upset over the post saying the Maureen and Howard are sharing salami, notices that Mary gets all the sympathy and virtue now that she's a widow. She steals Arfs' epi-pen and goes home to inject Howard with it. However, Howard has had a heart attack while she was gone. He sees her with the needle, but it's unclear if he really sees her or not. Because of confusion on the phone, the operator assumes that Shirley is reporting the drowning and a second ambulance doesn't get sent right away. She calls Parminder, but Parminder reminds her that Shirley and Howard had her removed from the medical rolls and she can't help now. Howard doesn't die, but doesn't recover, either, and is still in hospital when the book closes.
Sukhvinder pretty much organizes Krystal and Robbie's funeral. She arranges for a pink casket for Krystal that is laid in the same cemetery as Barry. Mary resents this.
I'm sure I left out things.
Algae- Posts : 368
Join date : 2011-10-22
Re: The Other Works of JK Rowling
Yeah, I reaaaaalllly didn't like it. It was well-written, and parts of it were compelling, but it felt like she decided to see what would happen if Jonathan Franzen wrote 600 pages about the Dursleys. And the ending. My god.
I wish someone had edited it more tightly, too. The
I wish someone had edited it more tightly, too. The
- Spoiler:
- kids all posting as The_Ghost_of_Barry_Fairbrother was great, but it also didn't happen until like 300 pages in.
Jessica- Posts : 153
Join date : 2011-10-21
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