I’ve just returned from the book launch for Robert J. Wiersema’s first published novel, Before I Wake. It was a bit of a private party at Railspur Alley Cafe and Bistro on Granville Island, which is a great local touristy sort of place but also an awesome Vancouver locale–public market, cool bistros and coffee shops. They have a rule on the island that there shall be no chain stores. It is a Starbucks-free zone.
The launch was good. Robert’s editor Kendall spoke about Rob and the recent reviews and the praise the book has received (recently reviewed in the Globe and Mail quite positively). Then Rob got up and talk a bit about being part of the Random House family and that that wasn’t a bad thing. (He mentioned to me later that the world rights have been sold to St. Martin’s Press, which should mean excellent things for this novel internationally.) Then he read the first couple of pages of the novel. Pages that are heart-wrenching. The story opens with Karen and Sherry crossing a busy road. Sherry is 3. There is an on-coming truck and Sherry runs into the same lane as the truck. Those opening pages are all about the guilt of looking away for a second, of how things could have been if …
I’m working my way through the first section of the book now but my first impression is this is the type of book I like. The writing is strong. There’s something quirky going on (in this case, a little bit of mystery and magical powers), and I’m not sure how it’s going to end.
I took some photos at the launch, none are spectacular but feel free to have a look.
I wasn’t really sitting is a good spot for photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/somisguided/