Today I have another offering that I featured none too long ago. This one is from all the more recent and therefore I will take a somewhat sidelong look at one aspect of why the novel is extra special.
Last Night In Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel. Unrbidled Books. Fiction. Hardcover. $24.95. ISBN: 9781932961683
The excitement surrounding the debut work of a new writer, particularly (but not always) a novelist, is substantial. If the book is even marginally well executed then the legion that is hyperbole begins to descend.
When a debut book is legitimately incredible, like Zadie Smith's White Teeth or Anthony Swofford's Jarhead (I told you there'd be nonfiction), then you find more than just the grizzled industry rubbing its hands together, excited about the prospect of a new bestselling author.
The true magic of the debut work exists only for the reader. That special, nostalgic and observant reader, that finds in the arrival of a strong new voice not just the pleasure of the current work but also the exciting reality that this writer might well write another book as good or maybe even better than the one they just completed. You imagine preordering the sophomore effort, claiming it's slight mediocrity to the first and then triumphantly buying the author's third book, which undoubtedly will be their masterpiece.
It is exciting. I swear.
Last Night In Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel is such a debut. After reading it you will find yourself looking at the author's website in hopes to catch site of a second book on its way. Not only will you find said second book but in the case of the apparently prolific Mandel you will also find it well on it's way.
All added up, Last Night In Montreal makes the list of best books of 2009 by two different roads. One is by the strength of its writing, which you can read about here. The other is by implication of a new and very talented writer.
Buy the book. Read it. Get excited about the next.
Incidentally, I have on good account that the next book is better than the first. Better to get on this bandwagon now, folks.
Posts
2 comments:
Thank you for your kind words about my work. I truly appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy the second novel as much as the first.
Best regards,
Emily
Thank you! For writing a good book, and other awkward responses.
Looking forward to the next one.
Post a Comment