I haven't been linking to every bit of Harry news that crops up here any more. I'm trying to keep the focus on the broader literary scene here, and that's what I have a personal page for. But today does mark something of a landmark for me - it's the first release of an international edition of Harry, Revised. Specifically, the Australian version, released by Text Publishing, is out today. (Back when the world rights were sold, my agent explained why the Australian version would come so quickly after the American one.)
The book is getting some lovely reviews from the Australian press, most notable to date coming from Harper's Bazaar, which is not available online so I excerpt it here:
"The recently widowed Harry is a bumbling but lion-hearted man who is trying to steer his less-than-interesting life out of numbing age. This novel ... was snapped up in a bidding frenzy at the end of 2007, assuring a huge interest in the author, Mark Sarvas, who was already known as a lit' blogger. Sarvas clearly loves his characters. Harry's hideous ex-in-laws are cruel and over-moneyed. But while his courage fails him in the face of these WASPish horrors, his gentle, if misplaced, love for his local waitress, Molly, and his unsubtle attempts to help Molly's impoverished friend, Lucille, show us a character of such tender depth. A marvellous, often comic and moving tale."
As it happens, I've been invited down to the Melbourne Writers Festival at the end of August, when I'm looking forward to meeting my Australian readers.
Many of the Melbourne bookstores are pushing Harry, too. See you at the writers festival!
Posted by: Ocky | June 02, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Cheers, Ocky! Can't wait to come down ...
Posted by: TEV | June 03, 2008 at 11:12 AM
This is great news! Can't wait to see you. I've been a fan of this blog for ages and will be reading Harry, Revised quick smart.
Posted by: Jessica | June 03, 2008 at 01:41 PM