Comments on: Linda Grant: The Clothes on Their Backs

By: Bloggers take on the Booker longlist

Bloggers take on the Booker longlist — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:55:22 +0000

[...] The Mookse and the Gripes [...]

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:46:21 +0000

It certainly happens, I don’t think it’s common though (hopefully not anyway).

What is pretty common apparently is no say over the cover, which I grant is far less important but it can still lead to authors hating the covers their books go out under.

By: Isabel

Isabel — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:56:04 +0000

I’ve gone to a couple of author readings in which they mention that the publisher selected the title. (But don’t ask me which ones; I forgot!)

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:11:28 +0000

Okay, that makes three of us who are ordering up Linda Grant’s backlist. I’m quite looking forward to her other books. In my previous life as a newspaper editor, I directed an international news service — and listened to constant complaints about trying to cover Israel. So in addition to her novels, I’m ordering that book.

As for The Northern Clemency, I’m stalled on Page 271 and keep harking back to JohnSelf’s post of a few weeks ago that he had read 300 pages and set it aside for later. I wondered then about how anyone could read 300 pages and then set the book aside (as opposed to, say, burning it). I am now getting an understanding — only sheer obstinacy is keeping me going.

So far, the procrastination has led to a rereading of Netherland — alas, the book did not hold up to a second read (sorry Trevor, I know you like this one). I’d set Linda Grant’s book aside for my wife (who is much more sensitive to clothing issues than I, so I’m hoping for some helpful direction on stuff that I missed in the first two reads) — if she doesn’t get to it soon, I may go back now that I have the clue.

And, what most intrigues me, is I am feeling that I should have another look at A Fraction of The Whole — outside of the Grant and The Lost Dog, it is the only book that memory says I may have underrated the first time around.

By: John Self

John Self — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:54:22 +0000

I'll third that sentiment. More significantly, from a bibliophile with constant storage-space issues, of the 12-and-a-third* longlisted titles I've read, The Clothes on their Backs is the only one I've kept my copy of. I also picked up When I Lived in Modern Times this week as a result. * The Northern Clemency is taking a really long time...

By: Trevor Berrett

Trevor Berrett — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:37:32 +0000

Ms Grant, thanks for the clue – and the fine book!

The Clothes On Their Backs is one of the only titles on the longlist that I’d be happy to reread to absorb more of the substance that I missed the first time, and your clue gives me just the reason to do that! (It is also the only book on the longlist that has made me interested in the author’s other titles, so I look forward to visiting more of your work).

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:34:47 +0000

I’m certainly not going to get into an argument with the author but…..

Yes, I did. And thought it was an interesting device. But I will admit that for me it was symbolism that often got in the way of more interesting themes.

I would also note from my experience that the action/metaphor/device that is central to authors, playwrights or artists in creating a work is often not the one that lands with readers, audience or viewers. While it undoubtedly drives the creative process, it does not necessarily land the same way with the audience. I certainly enjoyed the outcome so if I have a quibble with device, it is only a quibble.

Whatever I may think about the title and cover, I definitely feel this a very good book. Thanks.

By: Linda Grant

Linda Grant — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:30:34 +0000

Here’s a clue. Have you noticed that Vivien is always being dressed by other people?

By: John Self

John Self — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:15:17 +0000

I doubt it Isabel - there are plenty of references to clothes in the book, so it's clearly intentional. It can't be that common, surely, for authors to have no say in the title? Having said that, I did buy a book this week, a debut novel by Rana Dasgupta from a couple of years ago called Tokyo Cancelled. His original title was The Transit Papers, which apparently was deemed insufficiently interesting by the publishers.

By: Isabel

Isabel — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:04:29 +0000

Sometimes authors have no say on the title of the book. I wonder whether this is the case for this novel?