James Walton

On the brink

Stephen Potter’s Lifemanship contains a celebrated tip for writers who want to ensure good reviews.

issue 05 June 2010

Stephen Potter’s Lifemanship contains a celebrated tip for writers who want to ensure good reviews.

Stephen Potter’s Lifemanship contains a celebrated tip for writers who want to ensure good reviews. Simply make the dedication so emotionally blackmailing that no critic will dare attack you — something like, ‘To Phyllis, in the hope that God’s glorious gift of sight will be restored to her.’

It’s a ploy that springs inescapably to mind when reading the introduction to Winter on the Nile. What we’re about to read, Anthony Sattin explains, is the culmination of a dream he’s cherished for decades — a dream whose importance to him will only be truly understood by his beloved wife and children. And, as it turns out, this is just one example of his brazenness in a book that’s frequently marred by self-hype.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in