Observer review
Sunday, September 27 2009
There’s an incredibly nice review of my book in the Observer today. I’m worried people might be suspicious because I write for the Observer but it doesn’t work like that - I’ve never met Edward Docx (though he is certainly my new favourite person) and he doesn’t work for the Observer, book reviews are independently farmed out. So it’s just properly nice, hurray! (I also write for the Guardian, who haven’t run a review yet and they won’t tell me when they’re going to, but I bet that one will be horrible....)
Comments
leon71 says:
September 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
That is one v.cool review. Deserved of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the book too.
Anyways, only a short post. My verbosity level is severely limited due to hang-over. All the best :)
danny maris says:
September 27th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
very good view in the Mail on Sunday as well.
You are certainly winning the review war.
JE says:
September 27th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Having just finished reading the book I’d call this a very accurate review. Really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone. More than worth all the effort I’m sure was spent writing it.
Roger says:
September 27th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Well, i guess I am going to have to buy your book. Having fully expected to win a copy, I am now trying to figure out what went wrong… I mean, I have been following Derren Brown on TV- and all I had to do was imagine winning your book. I mean I even wrapped a book in paper before sending out thoughts at the exact time you were deciding who to pick!!
when is the next competition!? An evening with.... plus a free book! Or you could have a random Come dine with Vicky.....
Dan says:
September 27th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
I’m having such a great time reading the book and at the same time working out how to pitch an Amazon review for maximum reach… this review will be hard to beat.
Drumvesta says:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
That is a good review.
Now, I am not as erudite as that, in addition I am a carp trypist but here is the review I have just left on Amazon.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This book is a minor masterpiece, a classic of its kind!
A rattling good read, sometimes hilarious, often shocking, occasionally painful but always incisively truthful.
Buy this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rob Gilliam (raimesh) says:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
WHSmith have FRFP at £3 off *and* they accepted my £5 off voucher (even though it said “can’t be used with other promotions") so it cost me 50p more than the pre-delivery price on Amazon.
OK, so WHSmith is hardly an independent local retailer - not sure there are any in Nottingham anyway - but they do do a good job of keeping a wider variety of magazines available to the public than most (never seen Prospect in any newsagent, for example), so I’m happy to support them.
Victoria Coren says:
September 29th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
No you’re totally right Rob, WH Smith is well worth supporting as a bookshop - and they’ve been lovely with my book, they’ve put it in their newspaper adverts and everything! So I’m very happy you bought it from there, and even happier to have it bought by a Prospect reader…
And Drumvesta thanks so much for your lovely Amazon review. I think they really help.
David J. Bodycombe says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
And straight in at number 4 in this week’s chart it’s…
http://tinyurl.com/yagm9as
Victoria Coren says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I know! Someone sent me the link on Twitter! I’m PROPERLY chuffed, this is right up there with winning the big poker tournament and the trophy for Best Cake at the Clacton Festival 2005. I mean, I only creep in at number four and that’s behind a fictional character, but still this is a very proud day for me. (Am not being sarcastic! I’m really pleased!)
Geeks are Sexy says:
September 30th, 2009 at 1:11 am
As far as I’m concerned Victoria, you’re at #1, but I’m not the one who wrote the story, one of our writers did :)
danny maris says:
September 30th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Oh come on it’s quite clear that it’s a straight run in between you and Dr. Alice Roberts. I mean No. 1, without being cruel, looked like a Geek full stop. End of story. The fictional character - well that’s a non-starter. And. No. 5 was all faux geek, that much was clear.
So, as I say it’s definitely a Roberts v. Coren play off. Of course she does have the PhD. But then you did win a million dollars in an intellectually demanding game that tests every fibre of your mental being.
What has she ever done really? Run semi-naked with a couple of Bushmen in the Kalahari? (Yes, I was obviously paying attention.) Clambered over a few coastal rocks? Looked enthusiastic about an endangered shellfish in Aberystwyth? How can that compare with a real concern for the English language?
Ultimately it’s a style thing. Too much of the Coren wannabee about her!!! So you win. You’re an original....
MarkP says:
September 30th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I have to disagree with danny and say how can you watch this and not find Josie Long totally endearing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssskPOk7M_E&feature=related
My life long ambition is now to spell ‘you’re’ incorrectly.
Nick says:
October 1st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Indeed.. purchased said tome at WHS Stanstead yesterday. Enjoyed it… some great insight into the UK scene. Have Alvarez, Holden etc.... easily as enjoyable and great to read from a woman’s perspective…
Thanks
Nick Bayly says:
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Just finished the book and thought I’d add to the glowing reviews. Considering that I know next to nothing about poker it was a strange purchase, but being a gambler (horses), I was drawn to the addictive nature of it and the fascinating characters that inhabit the poker world. My only suggestion is that the poker terminology and rules section be moved to the front of the book. A lot of the ‘gamespeak’ meant little to me, although it didn’t really detract from the entertainment.
May all your rivers run deep.