Earlier this year, the author Yann Martel received a letter from a familiar address, congratulating him on his Booker-winning novel Life of Pi, which tells the story of a boy stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger:
Martel was, understandably, utterly delighted: "Clearly he did it for personal reasons, as a reader and as a father. And in two lines, what an insightful analysis of Life of Pi. Bless him, bless him."
More background and transcript here.
(Via the always-amazing Letters of Note)
Mr. Leslie -
My daughter and I just finished reading Marbury together. Both of us agreed we prefer posts with pictures.
It is a lovely blog - an elegant proof of transatlantic politics, and the power of ideas.
Thank you.
Posted by: Barack Obama | July 29, 2010 at 07:10 PM
Writing letters to strangers and having them give a shit is clearly the best thing about being President.
Posted by: Scott | July 29, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Which is much more than can be said for Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Yann Martel's native land. Have a look at Martel's website: http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.ca/about/ in which he explains why he has pledged to send the Canadian PM a new book every 2 weeks, for as long as he remains in power...
Posted by: Sam | July 30, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Wow. Bless you Mr President, bless you!
Yes I saw that Sam, thanks; it strikes me as an oppressive act of passive-aggression on Martel's part. Not EVERYONE has to like books!
Posted by: Ian Leslie | July 30, 2010 at 09:09 AM