Death is but the next great adventure
and it seems in the publishing world of late, the next great adventure will occur, despite the death of the author.
Personally, if this is to happen, then I would much rather see a series continued in a fresh approach, than have the original works destroyed for the sake of mad Political Correctness (like with Enid Blyton). But, doesn't it seem weird that characters will live on in new tales, even after their creator's life has ended?
Back in May we had the new James Bond book published, Devil May Care, despite Ian Fleming having died in 1964. It was Sebastian Faulks who wrote the book, as Fleming, and within days it became Penguin UK's fastest selling hardback novel ever. Ker-ching for the Estate!
Now, the sixth book of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy will be released in October 2009, despite Douglas Adam's sad passing away back in 2001 from heart failure. Artemis Fowl author, Eoin Colfer, will be writing "And Another Thing..." instead - approved and encouraged by Adams' widow, Jane Belson.
What do people think to this announcement? Is it just another money-making ploy, or do you think this is a nice gesture done to fulfill Adams' desire to write a sixth book? Should characters be revived after their creator's death?
Personally, if this is to happen, then I would much rather see a series continued in a fresh approach, than have the original works destroyed for the sake of mad Political Correctness (like with Enid Blyton). But, doesn't it seem weird that characters will live on in new tales, even after their creator's life has ended?
Back in May we had the new James Bond book published, Devil May Care, despite Ian Fleming having died in 1964. It was Sebastian Faulks who wrote the book, as Fleming, and within days it became Penguin UK's fastest selling hardback novel ever. Ker-ching for the Estate!
What do people think to this announcement? Is it just another money-making ploy, or do you think this is a nice gesture done to fulfill Adams' desire to write a sixth book? Should characters be revived after their creator's death?
I totally agree with you. I think if an author is going to continue a story or series after the origional author, the new work needs to be a fresh take on the first idea.
ReplyDeleteI think Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and his other works are great examples of this.
Fun post! Keep up the good work.
I actually ordered the Wicked O/S the other day and meant to order Maguire's books ... yeah, I forgot to order them! I'll have to def. order them now to see Maguire's fresh take on Baum. :0)
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