Monday, October 16, 2006

Rohinton Mistry

I have been waiting for a novel from Rohinton Mistry for over five years now, so you can imagine my delight when I heard about his new book "The Scream", however, my hopes were dashed somewhat when I read there are only 150 published novels of "The Scream" and each one is selling for $500 (CAD) with proceeds going to various literacy projects. Ofcourse, the price of the autographed book also includes lunch with the author and illustrator Tony Urquart. The image above is the invitation the World Literacy Council is sending to their members and no, although I love Rohinton Mistry and although this is a good cause, I won't be going - I cannot afford it at the moment :(

...."The first time I heart the scream outside
my window, I had just fallen asleep. It was many nights ago. The
sound pierced the darkness like a needle. Behind it, it pulled an
invisible thread of pain"

A excerpt from "The Scream" by Rohinton Mistry.

15 comments:

Les said...

Doesn't this strike you as a little bit arrogant? Or something?? What about those of us who want to read the book but can't afford the $500? Will more be released in the future? I still have his second book (Family Matters?) in my stacks somewhere, so I should stop complaining. I loved A Fine Balance and would like to read it again. Someday.

Susan in Italy said...

Wow! That's pricey. Do you know how long we poor folks have to wait to get to read the book? I fell in love with Mistry after reading "A Fine Balance".

Beenzzz said...

$500 a copy? That's a bit much. I hope you do get to read it eventually though. :)

Unknown said...

Sounds good, but not 500 bucks good. Although, I am sure I have spent my money on worse things

hellomelissa said...

i wish i had the magic to make a copy appear on your doorstep, lotus.

Lotus Reads said...

Hi Les, Susan, Beeenzzz and Angela!

Truthfully, I don't know if "The Scream" is a book or just a story with illustrations, it's hard to say because apart from this invite extended by the World Literacy Council, I haven't read anything else about "The Scream". Ofcourse,the invitation keeps referring to it as a book, so that's why I think it's a novel...will have to do some more digging to see what I can come up with. I guess the reason it is priced so high is because it is "for a good cause". Guess Mr.Mistry will have to do something real soon to appease his 'real' fans! ;)


Awwww, Melissa, you do say the sweetest things, thanks! :)

Booklogged said...

It would be terribly exciting to attend, wouldn't it? I'd be willing to put on sunglasses and hold out a metal cup on the street corner to earn money for you. Both your attending and my begging would make for fine memories!

Lotus Reads said...

lol, booklogged, you paint such a cute image, but with your nose stuck in your book will you even remember to put out the begging bowl for my ticket money? ;)

Just kidding - what a sweet thought, thank you!

Yianna said...

$500!!! Is there any author you would spend that much money for? [Or join forces with booklogged to beg for the money? I'll help out too if needed. I saw this guy in Cambridge, UK, singing with his dogs for money and have convinced myself that I can teach my cats to do the same and make TONS O CASH.]

nomadica said...

Oh wow! I have been waiting for Rohinton Mistry's next too! I'm a big fan. I hope there will be 'regular' copies of his new book available soon. Please keep us updated :)

Lotus Reads said...

'Allo Joanna!

Well, let's see - the $500 earns you a book (bound to be a collectors' item ), a lunch with Rohinton Mistry (he is big in Canada) and, best of all, all this money goes towards promoting literacy world wide. Guess it's one of those guilt-free Christmas treats a lot of people well-to-do people might be interested in, eh?

LOL@ those talented singing cats of yours, hope you've insured them well! ;)


Hi, Nomadica!

Now here's a fan! :) Will definitely keep you posted!

Anonymous said...

Gee, wow, thanks for this post. i hadn't heard a peep about this from the regular channels either - but thanks to you, i'll keep an eye on the library coz the excerpt sounds screamingly good.

Anonymous said...

Damn! I was under the impression that the book was being released after the fund-raising event. So much for Christmas list...damn....

Anonymous said...

Anyone know how i can contact Rohinton Mistry... I know he lives in Toronto, but what is his email, phone number, adress etc.

I need to ask him some questions for my assignment in English!!

Unknown said...

its coming out his yr end october. priced at CAD 25. pretty decent for us poor mortals. can be pre ordered..i already ordered mine!