I feel I should answer some of the questions people have asked. I’ve not been good about this, probably because I’m already so chronically behind on my everyday email and mail that when I have time, those take precedence. But here goes, in no particular order. First, thanks to everyone who sent sympathy for our having to put LouLou down. Our sweet dog, was, indeed, a PVGV – which stands for Petit Basset Griffon Vendean. Translation: a little curly-haired basset originally from the Vendée in France. She wasn’t a rescue. I think when we got her, fourteen years ago, we were not so aware of the need for people to adopt rescue dogs. I’m not sure how and when that issue became so much more publicly discussed. It must have been partly due to the increasing energy of the animal rights movement. The other two dogs – I guess I should get used to saying “the two dogs” as they’re no longer other – are both Cairn Terriers. Little enough for city life, feisty enough to seem big. Or bigger than they actually are, in any case. They seem a little subdued without Lou, but maybe life just seems quieter without her. Not that she was noisy, but that there was so much to do around her care in the last six months or so. Mostly frantic cleanup several times a day and laundry resulting from cleanup; but also helping her in and out of the apartment, gesturing madly to get her attention and guide her in one direction or another, bathing her almost daily, etc. With just the guys snoozing away between bursts of energy, we have time on our hands. Thus this note. Another topic entirely. The Arsonist will come out in England very quickly after the pub date in the US. Bloomsbury is doing it. I’ll append their cover, which is very different from the Knopf cover. And thanks to those who’ve gotten hold of The Arsonist ahead of time and commented on it. Official reviews, too, are starting to arrive. It’s a strange time, waiting for twenty or so people around the country to weigh in in 800 or 1000 words on the labor of three or four years. Another writer friend quoted a Colson Whitehead tweet to me, something he said at this same moment recently in HIS writing life: “Let the sadness begin.” Perhaps. In any case, I’m especially grateful to have these more friendly, informal reviews from some of you. Particular thanks to Richard Green, who wrote a long, thoughtful, speculative note about the book. Thanks too, to all of you who’ve welcomed me to Facebook. I was afraid it would seem burdensome, but I find myself looking forward to seeing who’s visited me, who’s said hello, who’s left a comment, old friends and new.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:08:41 +0000
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