|
|
Article: Visions with the lights off
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- February 10, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1996 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
The Insult by Rupert Thomsom Bloomsbury, pounds 10.99
Is there life beyond the books pages? The question is prompted
by a note on the back flap of Rupert Thomson's fourth novel.
Readers can send off to a box-number in Earl's Court and join his
fan club. Doubtless they will receive details of glossy posters,
calendars and a special Christmas record along with the list of
their hero's favourite food and type of motor-car. One can hardly
imagine such an enterprise being sanctioned by, say, Julian Barnes
or William Boyd, despite their greater customer base.
Of course, the whole thing might be a ruse got up to attract
attention, a chance for reviewers to deploy an eye-catching first
paragraph. ...