May 7, 2008

The Revolution Has Begun

An Epic Saga:

First, the Revolution. That's where we convince the world that Halldór Laxness is an author to read. One person at a time, the world will discover that Laxness is a great writer, and that reading one of his books is just the beginning. Bill Holm is a card-carrying member of this revolution; he gives away copies of Independent People that he has found in used bookstores. Professor Batty is a member*. So am I.


Rockwell Kent, International Workers Order, 10th Anniversary

Picture your humble revolutionary (:me) at the Book Exchange today. I always carry a credit of between $25-$75. there, so anything I buy is, well, free. Today I discover a treasure: a hardcover, first (English) edition of Independent People (like the one pictured here). For $5.! (If that sounds good to you, buy one yourself for the same price, online.)

But that's not all! As I walk past the table where the staff sit to read, talk, read, eat lunch, read, eat chocolate, read, joke..you get the picture...I see a new paperback copy of...you guessed it...Independent People. As I pay for my purchases (not), I ask the man helping me (whom I recognize by face but not by name), "who is reading Independent People?". I think I actually asked, "WHO IS READING INDEPENDENT PEOPLE!!!?" Turns out, he is. "I heard it was really great, and decided I'd read it."

What a happy coincidence! Here's where we quote Batty: "One reader at a time, Rose, one reader at a time."
*
Batty seems to concentrate on giving away copies of The Fish Can Sing.

4 comments:

Professor Batty said...

... Right on sister! Power to the poets! I'm with you all the way...

Professor Batty said...

... and there's more good news about Bill Holm...

Darien Fisher-Duke said...

Glad you shared this, PB, I missed it. Good for Bill! Good for his readers!

Shannon said...

You've been tagged with a meme...when you have time!