It would be thrilling for any author on earth to arrive as a foreigner in a town such as Romford for the promotion of their book to find over a thousand people waiting for them in the local WHSmith. That's the equivalent of what happened to me yesterday at a Landmark bookstore on the outskirts of Mumbai. I spoke for 30 minutes and answered questions for another 30, but it then took two and a half hours of signing before the last person presented their book. It was one of the most thrilling evenings of my life. I am staggered by the intensity and sincerity of the Indian people and the courtesy they show storytellers that others might dismiss as lightweights. This is clearly a tour I shall never forget. I arrived back at my hotel just before midnight and was asleep within moments.
This morning I had 7 print and 2 tv interviews, and am about to go over to the National Gallery of Modern Art to try and learn a thing or two about Indian art, about which I confess I know nothing. This evening I dine with Bollywood, and meet producers, directors and people connected with the film world - about which I also know nothing - although the newspapers this morning are full of news from Bollywood and the Twenty20 cricket; in fact these two subjects dominate the first and the last 10 pages of every paper. More of that tomorrow.
This morning I had 7 print and 2 tv interviews, and am about to go over to the National Gallery of Modern Art to try and learn a thing or two about Indian art, about which I confess I know nothing. This evening I dine with Bollywood, and meet producers, directors and people connected with the film world - about which I also know nothing - although the newspapers this morning are full of news from Bollywood and the Twenty20 cricket; in fact these two subjects dominate the first and the last 10 pages of every paper. More of that tomorrow.
20 Comments:
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Dear Mr. Archer,
I was present yesterday when u spoke in Mumbai and believe me it was an awesome experience to listen to u speak. I am (self proclaimed) your biggest fan for me it was a lifetime experience. i wish i could have stayed back and took your autograph on my copy of the book but i was already late for work and hence had to rush. but hope to see you in mumbai again soon.
Mrugesh
Dear Mr Archer
How does it feel to be addressed as "Dear Lord"? Always believed that that expression was reserved for divinities... but hey you write divinely so I guess you have earned that 'holy' form of address...
Not sure that I will be able to meet you at Landmark on May 24 as I don't do crowds...Rest assured that the ones in Madras will beat the Mumbaikers hollow !
After reading the comments from my fellow Indians I have this to say ....to write about India, I mean to really undertand her soul, you need to gad about the cities (preferably anonymously)and not just view it from the lofty heights of luxury hotels or the airconditioned confines of limousines or in the company of India's Who's Who... India, unlike any other country particulary needs to be experienced in an 'up close and personal' manner...her 'heat and dust', her varying perfumes, her myriad colours, the simplicity of her smiles, the griminess of her poverty, the multitude of her accents and her gods, her colourful and searing cuisine,her blaring horns and her quiet music ...
Even after all that you would not even have begun to scratch her surface ... ALL THAT AND MORE Mr Archer is my India, supremely seductive and tantalisingly elusive...
Wonder if even your brilliance can capture that! However that is delicious prospect ! So do hurry up and get back to work Mr Archer... your fans are waiting particularly the fan at unom
It was a pleasant surprise to discover your blog Mr.Archer and even greater to find out that i will be getting a chance to meet my favourite author of "twists" soon in Bangalore !
Eagerly awaiting your visit !
ps-Loved the small observations -maniac driver,delays and cows and all ! But as someone said it will be really interesting to read some more narratives about India from your side !
Dr. Lord Archer,
I was at the bookstore in Mumbai the other day and I absolutely loved your speech.
What I loved is that you promised everyone an autograph even if you had to be there till midnight. That was extremely kind of you. There are some authors who just sign books for the sake of it and then leave. But I am glad that you are not one of them!
Now I am even a bigger fan of yours. Thank you for coming to India. I hope you enjoy your stay!
Kars.
Hello Sir,
I have never read ur books as i have caught with book reading just recently but i m planning to read one of urs very soon..
As ur gonna meeet the boolywood, I will just remind you to be tactfull as some of those would like ur story to be told by frames, So bargain hard.
Keep writing.
Mr Archer, sir, I met you for a brief 2 seconds during your book signing at Landmark Bookstore in Mumbai and let me tell you, it was one of the best evenings of my 18 year old life! I have no doubt that you have been countless number of times what an amazing writer you are but well, when you write a book as legendary as Kane and Abel or The Prodigal Daughter(which I loved much more than K&A), this is what you get and rightly so!
My only reason for commenting here is to thank you-as much as I could-for coming down to Mumbai. Fans like me often sit and wonder, when we finish reading a book, if we can EVER tell an author how much we love it. I didn't manage more than a squeaky "hi" when I met you but I do hope you understand that your books are LOVED here and you did a marvellous thing by coming down here. What's more, you signed every single book! I mean, which renowned best-selling author cares to do that?!
Lord Archer, you are a wonderful, wonderful man and a brilliant author. Thank you ever so much.
Hope to catch you in Bangalore tomorrow :)
Mr. Archer i'm so glad you hav come to india...i'm looking forward to seeing you in landmark pune today.
my exams starts in about 5 days but i cant miss this golden chance...maths papar can wait until next year if required!!!
SIR,
SUSWAGATAM ( I.E. WELCOME IN SANSKRIT)
I READ IN BOMBAY TIMES INTERVIEW THAT WHEN U SELL AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS, U R A SUPERSTAR IN INDIA.
MAY I TELL U THE LATEST VERSION?
SIR, YOURSELF AND MR. SYDNEY SHELDON , JOINTLY RULE THE FOOTPATHS OF MUMBAI. THE FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES OF D.N. ROAD, WHICH STRETCHES FROM VT TO CHURCHGATE ARE STUDDED WITH LITERARY GEMS BY U AND MR.SHELDON.
PLEASE DRINK LOTS OF COCONUT WATER AND 'AAM PANHE' TO KEEP COOL.
SINCERELY,
SUJATA TAWDE
sujata.tawde@gmail.com
Dear Lord, I love calling you that,I am pretty sure your reception in Bangalore will be even more of a mayhem than Muumbai,and i hope that i can get close for a signature..as your hugest fan i am hopin for that.See you in Bangalore.
Tazeem
Sir,
Welcome to India.
I believe as u love Cricket and Movies you will over India a lot more and people will return your love back.
Sir I must take this opportunity for saying that Kane and Abel was a thorough privilege and I am looking forward to many more books.
I must confess that I have not read all your books but loved Kane and Abel.
Do u know Kane and Abel was "adapted" for a story for a Hindi film titled "Khudgarz".
Enjoy the trip to India
Hello Lord,
I was thrilled when I came to know that u r going to be at landmark for the book reading session for ur latest book & was ecstatic when I actually saw u there.It was wonderful to see u in life & flash. I must confess that before reading ur KANE & ABEL I always felt that nobody in this world can beat SIDNEY SHELDON but u did for sure & I used to hate u for that :) not any more.I have read each & every book of ur's each one is masterpiece pls.pls.pls. never ever stop writing.& ur autogrpah is going to top the list of my treasure.
WAITING FOR UR NEXT BOOK FOREVER
Hi Mr Archer!
I can't say I'm your biggest fan but believe me, i have a HUGE amount of respect for your skills as a writer and orator.
5 days definitely shrinks hopes of the following but i hope your perspective of India widens to encompass things other than our not-so-punctual-ways, bollywood, bad driving and twenty-twenty!! There is so much more to this country!!
I can't wait to meet you in Bangalore tomorrow and hope my nerves allow me to get out more than one "hello" and one "goodbye".
:)
Dear Mr. Archer,
What you spoke at Pune last evening was highly enlightening ..
Had a BLAST !!
Thankin u ..
ur fan !!
Everyone is really so lucky because it seems almost all the people commenting have met you or are going to meet you. At this time, i feel really unfortunate to be staying in such a remote part of India and not in a metro like Bangalore or Mumbai 'coz had i been there i would have taken your autograph and seen you in person!!
Dear Mr. Archer, Thank you for keeping me up all night - next day I was good for nothing! "Prisoner of Birth" was mesmerizing and addicting - the worse part was finishing the book - I wanted more!!! I applaud you for your lack of coarse language and sexually explicit scenes - so refreshing!!! My book club and friends agree - hurry up with the next book. Also if this is not too much to ask - could you please visit us here in Phoenix, Arizona? We are so jealous of the folks back in Mumbai - give us the chance to prove that THEY are not your biggest fans!! Oh, oh, I think I just might have incited the Mumbains to a duel (of words of course) Thanks again for a fantastic read! alwasys a fan - Nina
Lord Archer, sir, i was in tears when i hear, ur speech on new Delhi TV, because u appreciate real art, appreciate the truth, when u said: just give them a pencil, and it's true that some artists just put an egg box or empty paper, and claim it art, just because they are famous, while real painters can't show their paintings because they are not famous, i peg u sir to have a look at my paitings, and if u said that am not talented, i promise u sir to stop painting, pls sir, for my father sake, my father who serve the Uk Army and got a certificate from her majesty the Queen.
appreciate time u took reading this message, i'll attach my paintings to ur mail,
sincerely,
Miska
Dear Mr.Archer,
i was present the other day when you spoke in Mumbai and i'll say that i was totally overwhelmed by the experience. the first book that i read was Sons of Fortune and since then it has been a wonderful journey with your books. in this span of 4 years i hav read all your books and i remember everytime i would complete a book i would wish i could tell the author how i loved each and every one of his books. to see you standing in front of me that day was a dream come true for me. my only regret is that if i would've all the 10 books that i own for you to sign i would i have had more time to tell you how much i enjoy reading your books!!!! it was wonderful to have you here lord archer and we hope you come back soon!! in the meanwhile i promise not to pick up your book from the traffic signal how much ever i am tempted to read the first copy i can lay my hands on!!!
suchismita - good luck with the Maths paper! Best wishes, Jeffrey.
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