The terrible, terrible question; does one interfere or does one keep aloof?
No domestic tragedy here - no criminal danger. Just a series of dreadful editorial errors that have made it not only through proofreading, but on to printing, binding, sale, and inclusion in the shelves of a a public library. Egg on a publishing face - indeed omelette with caviare.
I am reading a Miss Fisher novel by Kerry Greenwood - and as usual thoroughly enjoying it. I've seen the ABC series of television dramas with the Honourable Phryne Fisher and loved them, but have come to their base novels later in the day. I am delighted to say that there are enough differences between what was written and what was filmed to make the literature rewarding.
The current novel, however, has gathered to itself a curious phrase that is repeated at intervals: 'she opened it with Nell's seal-cutting knife. I'm only on chapter four and so far she's opened it five times. I expect she'll do so many more times...
Part of me is appalled, part amused, and part curious as to what - if anything - is finally going to be opened with Nell's much-used implement. I hope by the time it is actually doing something for the plot, it has not lost its edge.
I shall not deface the book by scribbling out the lines. I may attach a small self-adhesive label to the inside of the plastic dust cover advising future readers that the best implement to open the pages would be a seal-cutting knife. Hope the librarians have a sense of humour.
And are not armed with seal-cutting knives.
PS: The cover of the book carries two glaring grammatical errors, Shame on you Allen, and shame on you, too, Unwin.
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