A gap in the market?

    I've heard many writers make a point similar to Carol Shields' remark that she wrote the kind of book she wanted to read but couldn't find - in her case, books about female friendships and women's inner lives. It's interesting motivation: risky, perhaps, if you're hoping for a wide readership and your tastes are esoteric, but very personal and authentic, rather than a more objective response to a trend or a deliberate attempt to be commercial.

    Have you as individual readers ever noticed any such gap in the market, any type of book that seems to be in short supply, a class of work that you want to read but don't seem to come across; or do you ever find yourself wishing that someone today was writing the sort of book that a particular (now deceased) writer used to write?

                                                                ~~~~~

    On a related note, and my thanks to Lindsay for the link, here is a new book by a dead writer!

Comments

[Nancy]

"...do you ever find yourself wishing that someone today was writing the sort of book that a particular (now deceased) writer used to write?"

Yes, the humorous novels of E.F. Benson. While covering quite a few human foibles and behaviors, they were never crude or rude. They leave you wanting more - more of the characters.

[Dark Puss]

No, absolutely not!

[Cornflower]

Did not your mother say once that she wished someone nowadays would write Barbara Pym-type novels?

[Dark Puss]

Oh yes I'm sure she did. My own view is that I will read Ms Pym if I want that type of book and that probably, and I don't have any evidence either way, someone already is writing such books but I don't know who they are!

I've loved all sorts of writers who are no longer with us but I don't look to modern writers to emulate them.

[Barbara MacLeod]

Can I ask you a question on a completely different topic, please?
I was listening to Start the Week this morning [October 17]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/stw
where Lisa Randall mentioned her recently published book Knocking on Heaven's Door. Do you know it? Any thoughts?

[Dark Puss]

Hello Barbara
Lisa Randall is an extremely famous theoretical physicist who certainly understands far, far more about particle physics and cosmology that I ever did. One of her claims to fame is the work she did with Sundrum on "warped extra dimensions". I haven't read her new "popular" book but I expect it will be a valiant attempt to explain the almost inexplicable without resorting to too many mathematical concepts. Have a look here at what Lisa herself has to say about the book. If I can get my paws on a copy to borrow I'll read it and post on MCS.

[Nancy]

Hmmmmmm, almost sounds like the beginnings of the Big Bang Theory. Has that television comedy made it across the pond yet. It's one of my favorite shows - the favorite comedy, that is.

[Dark Puss]

Hello Nancy, yes indeed it has made it across the Atlantic ocean all the way to the European continental shelf. I like it too, but I will say that I have met very few characters in that field who are much like the protagonists.

[Ros]

I would say no. Especially to books in the style of deceased authors. I mean, I would adore it if someone found a whole load of unpublished Sayers or Heyer or Wodehouse and so on. But I don't want, and won't read, books written as poor imitation.