This book has everything: a setting in the publishing industry, ageing and eccentric authors, bestselling authors, publishing personalities, editing and proofreading, manuscripts aplenty, sex, ambition, literary debate and tragedy.
The Girl On The Page by John Purcell has been the most surprising read for me so far this year and I absolutely loved it!
Australian author John Purcell is currently the Director of Books at Booktopia and before that he ran a secondhand bookshop in Sydney for 10 years, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he has such a firm grip on what it's like to work in the book industry. I've heard that John's portrayal of the industry is too sexy to bear any resemblance to the Australian publishing industry. I'll never know for sure, but this definitely kept me enthralled from start to finish.
The references to real authors and actors in the story enhanced my enjoyment and gave the novel a real contemporary feel. The title is also quite playful and possibly a stab at all the books with 'girl' in the title.
Punchy, sexy, witty, entertaining and containing intelligent debate on literature versus bestselling fiction, I'm recommending The Girl On The Page by John Purcell far and wide.
My rating = *****
Carpe Librum!
I'm off to see if the library has this one. Cheers
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Carole and hope they have it :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, this book looks so interesting! I will have to keep my eyes out for it :)
ReplyDeleteketurahskorner.blogspot.com
Thanks Keturah, hope you pick it up if you see it around.
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