The Book of Unholy MischiefElle Newmark
Like Susan Boyle, I am gobsmacked. While lots of people are talking about The Book of Unholy Mischief, precious few are talking about the point it makes.
In writing this book, I wanted to say something about the potential for magnificence we all hold within us. But in the seven months since the release of The Book of Unholy Mischief, the only reviewer who touched on that was Kirkus. They said, “…Intelligence is the daily special on Newmark’s menu, served with facility and skill.”
Thank you.
On the other hand, The New York Times compared me to Dan Brown. Apologies to Dan, but I am not amused. How can you compare a contemporary thriller to a historical picaresque? I was in London when that review appeared, and I paced my hotel room with steam coming out of my ears. It was a good review and sales went up, but that’s not the point. Well, it kind of is the point for my agent and publisher, but not for me.
I happen to be obnoxiously proud of writing historical fiction that uses food metaphors to illustrate ideas. It’s not something you see every day. The Book of Unholy Mischief is about a chef and his apprentice in Renaissance Venice embroiled in intrigues involving a mysterious book, a corrupt church, powerful bad guys, a sexy nun, and a syphilitic doge. All this serves to teach the apprentice how to become the best man he can be.
Now honestly, when was the last time you read that?
The Book of Unholy Mischief is dedicated to teachers because the chef is a teacher the way Sean Connery mentored Christian Slater in the Name of the Rose. It also uses food as metaphor and magic as Juliette Binoche did in Chocolat. In both cases, these devices were used to make a point.
If you want to know more about Unholy Mischief please visit my website http://www.ellenewmark.com/. If you want to know even more, read the book. Paperback will be out in November 2009.
Elle, thank you for stopping by my blog today, and thank you to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for putting together this tour.
1 comment:
I'll admit, I have had my eye on this book since I first heard of it. I think it sounds like a wonderful read, and I am hoping to grab a copy soon. It really does seem like the kind of book I would relish. Thanks for the great guest post, it has made me even more excited about the book.
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