Tolkien's Gown and Other Stories of Famous Authors and Rare Books - Softcover

Gekoski, R.A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845292391 ISBN 13: 9781845292393

Publisher: Constable, 2005

Synopsis

In "Tolkien's Gown", a book based loosely on that hugely successful radio series, he discusses twenty great works of modern literature as both texts and objects. At once erudite and funny, the essays give a publishing biography of each book, together with comments about the author's involvement with first editions of the works. 'What is the value of a book?' he asks. The answers are both critical and financial, involving appraisals of the literary qualities of the works, together with an account of their (sometimes surprising) value in the rare book trade. His stories are fascinating and diverse, and involve memorable encounters with, among others, Graham Greene, William Golding, J.D. Salinger, Ted Hughes, Salman Rushdie, Julian Barnes and Harold Pinter. Relations between book dealers and authors can be uneasy: J.D. Salinger threatens a law suit, William Golding produces a parody of the author, Ted Hughes thinks he has been overcharged. While Graham Greene is simply delighted to have done business. For anyone who loves books, "Tolkien's Gown" offers a wealth of amusement and instruction, and enough literary anecdotes to last a lifetime.

About this title

About the Author:

Rick Gekoski came from his native America to do a Ph.D at Oxford, and went on to teach English at the University of Warwick. In 1982, sick of lecturing, he decided to become a full-time rare book dealer, specialising in important twentieth-century first editions and manuscripts. He lives in London and spends time each year in Paris and New Zealand.

Review:

* 'You will enjoy Tolkien's Gown... at Warwick University [Gekoski] discovered that he had an eye for books and manuscripts and began to deal in them. That is how he has made a successful living for many years. He is also a very good storyteller.' Sunday Telegraph * Rick Gekoski has been described as the Bill Bryson of the book world. Rare book dealer, academic, publisher, critic, bibliographer, and broadcaster, his BBC Radio series Rare Books, Rare People was acclaimed by The Daily Telegraph as 'one of the gems of Radio 4'.

About this edition

• Publisher: Constable
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1845292391
• ISBN 13: 9781845292393
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256