Teachers sometimes get criticised for not knowing that Enid died 47 years ago, but here is an adult who runs a charity and who seems to think that this author has just written one book, although the title of it isn't mentioned!
Okay, so maybe some people might not know she was dead...but I can't believe that someone could grow to be an adult without realising ENid wrote more than one or two books! Unbelievable! Where has he been?!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
Oh dear. Sorry to go a little off topic, but that reminds me very much of an equally terrible incident recounted in the book The Making of Pride and Prejudice (i.e. the legendary 1995 BBC version). Producer Sue Birtwistle had the following phone call early on in the project from a potential American backer:
"We're very interested in putting £1 million into Pride and Prejudice. Can you tell me who's written it?"
Assuming that, if they were prepared to invest so much money, they would have already read the book and just wanted to know who had adapted it, I said: "Andrew Davies," and then added as an afterthought: "from the novel."
"Novel? What novel?"
"Er... the novel. By Jane Austen."
"How are you spelling that?"
"A.U.S.T.E.N."
"Is she selling well?"
"Er... yes. Very well."
"How many copies has she sold?"
"You mean altogether?"
"Yeah. Since publication."
"Since... er... 1813?"
There was a long pause. "You mean she's dead?" (Another pause.) "So she wouldn't be available for book signings?"
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
