It was a dark and stormy night...and then there was a gerbil
In today’s eclectic book news, check out African crime novels, read the worst first sentence ever, and find out why Christopher Hitchens is putting his tour on hold.
- Lately, it seems Swedish crime novels are getting all the attention, but a new Guardian article suggests 10 African crime novels worth reading. The list comes from Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, two native African writers who publish together under the name Michael Stanley (A Carrion Death; A Deadly Trade). Their selections “all capture some aspect of African culture or location” and include authors ranging from Agatha Christie to James McClure.
- The 2010 Bulwer-Lytton contest winner for worst first sentence has been announced, and, man, is it terrible! To give you a hint, the sentence includes the phrase “world’s thirstiest gerbil” as part of a simile describing two lovers. The contest, held in honor of Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (of “It was a dark and stormy night…” fame), challenges contestants to write the worst possible opening sentence to a novel. You can read this year’s winning sentence in its entirety at Paper Cuts.
- Earlier this week, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens announced he has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and will be postponing the book tour for his recent bestseller Hitch-22. As Jacket Copy says, “One wishes Hitchens well with his treatment – and that it won’t interfere too drastically with his singular voice.”
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