Rupee Millionaires

Rupee Millionaires.
What a spell-binding, intriguing and very funny biography. So intelligently-written and concise. I have never had the pleasure of visiting India, but thanks to you, Joe I've been transported there in my mind, where I could capture the essence of heat and and blindingly dangerous Eval Knieval-like taxi drivers in rickshaws. I could see the splendid, colourful array of saris worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world. You captured the softness of the material blowing in a gentle breeze, the spices and aromas filling the air of the over populated crowded markets, the machinations of the wheelers and dealers, the brilliance of the beautiful jewellery. This entertained me immensely and that was down to you, the author, making your characters leap off the pages. Your writing style is easy and professional to the last letter. It amused me but the chapter about your mum was moving - I felt your pain, as it tugged at my heartstrings. After I read this I came to the conclusion, it's on the ED desk because one day when published it's going to be among the best books money can buy. Good luck for the future. Connie x
Sinners and Shadows.

Just finished reading your first three chapters, Joe, and there is nothing not to like about this. While many books have you turning the pages to see what happens next, this is a book to be enjoyed in the moment. Every bit of what I have read so far is so well constructed and polished that it makes for a very smooth read. You make it so easy to picture the players here - I love how you set up your mom abruptly taking your bike away when you were 8 and already getting mischeivious. I imagine your mom will come back on the scene at some point. And Spud is hilarious. The ride on the elephant is so damn well written that I was there - up on the paciderm myself under the mesh of electrical wires and over the cacophany of the bizar. I believe this is beyond memoir, because you take us on a ride and you as the writer are right along there next to us. It is a memoir that reads like great fiction. There is a movie quality to this - like a Fear and Loathing or Rum Diaries. If the computer would let me shelve this again, I would. I am giving this book six stars! Liz

This book is a fabulous rollercoaster of a ride!

A fascinating introduction to the murky, competitive side of running London street market stalls and the dog eat dog (or should that be the vegetarian eat vegetarian) world of import/export from India.

As well as Joe's trademark hilarious way of seeing the world, which will have you crying with laughter, there are very tender moments in this book when Joe talks about his wife and mother which are deeply moving.

And thuggish Spud lurks in the background, like the pantomime baddy - spoiling all the fun and making you want to hiss. The only problem is this is no pantomime - this is Joe's real life!

Unputdownable page turner!

This is by far the best book I have read on Authonomy. I have to keep reminding myself its all based on real life experiences (you have lead an intersting life) It is so good and deserves to be published.
Wishing you the best of luck
kelly

Hi Kovacs,
Very happy to read your book. As an Indian, I admire your research on minute details. U rite Gr8.

Rupee Millionaires.
What a spell-binding, intriguing and very funny biography. So intelligently-written and concise. I have never had the pleasure of visiting India, but thanks to you, Joe I've been transported there in my mind, where I could capture the essence of heat and and blindingly dangerous Eval Knieval-like taxi drivers in rickshaws. I could see the splendid, colourful array of saris worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world. You captured the softness of the material blowing in a gentle breeze, the spices and aromas filling the air of the over populated crowded markets, the machinations of the wheelers and dealers, the brilliance of the beautiful jewellery. This entertained me immensely and that was down to you, the author, making your characters leap off the pages. Your writing style is easy and professional to the last letter. It amused me but the chapter about your mum was moving - I felt your pain, as it tugged at my heartstrings. After I read this I came to the conclusion, it's on the ED desk because one day when published it's going to be among the best books money can buy. Good luck for the future. Connie x
Sinners and Shadows.

Rupee Millionaires.
What a spell-binding, intriguing and very funny biography. So intelligently-written and concise. I have never had the pleasure of visiting India, but thanks to you, Joe I've been transported there in my mind, where I could capture the essence of heat and and blindingly dangerous Eval Knieval-like taxi drivers in rickshaws. I could see the splendid, colourful array of saris worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world. You captured the softness of the material blowing in a gentle breeze, the spices and aromas filling the air of the over populated crowded markets, the machinations of the wheelers and dealers, the brilliance of the beautiful jewellery. This entertained me immensely and that was down to you, the author, making your characters leap off the pages. Your writing style is easy and professional to the last letter. It amused me but the chapter about your mum was moving - I felt your pain, as it tugged at my heartstrings. After I read this I came to the conclusion, it's on the ED desk because one day when published it's going to be among the best books money can buy. Good luck for the future. Connie x
Sinners and Shadows.

The cover of Rupee Millionaires promises warmth and colour, and the book inside delivers it. If this wonderful book is ever published 'properly', please try to hang on to its original lovely cover! Ch. 11 has such pathos; an extraordinary coincidence, beautifully portrayed. Best of luck, and I hope it stays at the top long enough to catch the eye of a suitable deal-wheeler...

The cover of Rupee Millionaires promises warmth and colour, and the book inside delivers it. If this wonderful book is ever published 'properly', please try to hang on to its original lovely cover! Ch. 11 has such pathos; an extraordinary coincidence, beautifully portrayed. Best of luck, and I hope it stays at the top long enough to catch the eye of a suitable deal-wheeler...

The cover of Rupee Millionaires promises warmth and colour, and the book inside delivers it. If this wonderful book is ever published 'properly', please try to hang on to its original lovely cover! Ch. 11 has such pathos; an extraordinary coincidence, beautifully portrayed. Best of luck, and I hope it stays at the top long enough to catch the eye of a suitable deal-wheeler...

Hey, Joe, great story! I've seen this at the top of the list for several weeks, now, and this morning is the first I've thought to actually have a look at it. I'm putting it on my bookshelf, straightaway.

My book---Mage at Midnight---is also about India, from an anthropologist turned fiction writer. Set in Rishikesh. Pretty tongue in cheek. I'd appreciate it if you'd take a look.

Best of luck with Rupee Millionaires!

Carolyn Brown Heinz - Mage at Midnight

Rupee Milliionaires
by - Joe Kovacs

This first person account just flows and flows, flawlessly. The writing is well constructed and the character depictions are vivid and realistic. Rupee Millionaires will find a place on my shelf with the next rotation and many stars.

P Alan Davis
The Red Poppy
Raindancer

Joe,
As is stated in the first paragraph of my “about me,” the requirements must touch me, inspire me, educate me, and move me to tears, to smiles, to sighs, to want more. Who would’ve guessed that ‘Rupee Millionaires’ would hit on all points? But it did! Congratulations! And now that I have finished reading what you have uploaded, I will dearly miss your delightful friends, your most obnoxious partners, your most tolerant and understanding wife -- all of the lively characters of your life, and your colourful India. Never before have I read - cared to read - and looked forward to reading about a country I seriously could not have cared less about.

I enjoyed this true life story so very much due to the rich detail with which your realistic scenes and your lively characters and their antics are painted. The broad brush of India has never been capture so well as in the pictures you created in my mind, and yes, chapter 11 is unforgetable. I did, in fact, shed tears twice at the loss of your precious mother, and stopped reading, time enough to say a prayer for her, before returning to the reading.

Your writing is near flawless, and I am far from one to instruct you as to any improvement, with the exception of the only thing that caused me to stop and re-read any part of this book. Along about the middle of chapter 10, at the introduction of Margreet, you fell out of character and changed your POV from first person and temporarily gave control of the telling to her. It isn’t uncommon to do this, and it carried on through the following chapter, but I wanted you to be aware of it. Otherwise, well done, very well done.

Thank you for a most fulfilling read. Six stars.

Just finished reading your first three chapters, Joe, and there is nothing not to like about this. While many books have you turning the pages to see what happens next, this is a book to be enjoyed in the moment. Every bit of what I have read so far is so well constructed and polished that it makes for a very smooth read. You make it so easy to picture the players here - I love how you set up your mom abruptly taking your bike away when you were 8 and already getting mischeivious. I imagine your mom will come back on the scene at some point. And Spud is hilarious. The ride on the elephant is so damn well written that I was there - up on the paciderm myself under the mesh of electrical wires and over the cacophany of the bizar. I believe this is beyond memoir, because you take us on a ride and you as the writer are right along there next to us. It is a memoir that reads like great fiction. There is a movie quality to this - like a Fear and Loathing or Rum Diaries. If the computer would let me shelve this again, I would. I am giving this book six stars! Liz

Deservedly up there. One of the few I wish I could kindle, read properly. All the best and if you have a kindle version, will happily read all.

I love this book. It is at least as good a story, and as well-written as many published books I have read in similar narrative non-fiction travel genre, but the gently tragi-comedic atmosphere makes it memorable. I really hope to be able to buy it one day in a proper independent book shop, and see it on bestseller lists.

I want your hat. This book is a machine gun firing custard pies and dreams. I love it.

Hey Joe

But enough of Jimi Hendrix for now. This is a fun book, written from real life and it shines through the pages. I love the light touch (Reggie Kray protecting the book stall holder) and the short paragraphs and easy pace of the narrative. It's one of the best I've seen on here and deserves to be in print.
Best
Rich Allen
'Suicide Vacation'

ComLit Review
Rupee Millionaires

Joe,
In order to avoid what has happened to me in previous weeks, where I reread the first few chapters of a book that I had already read, I focused on the last few chapters you have posted Authonomy, 11-15. Since I read the first few chapters earlier, I think I have both ends of your posting, so the bread without the meat. But I am going through a veg phase anyway.
I have now read the first few and last few chapters of your book. This continues to be an absolutely delightful read, a light, entertaining, engaging narrative, full of lovely stories told as if over a dinner with dear friends. I admire your ability to keep a thread going even though your stories are often only tangentially related. At times, as I saw a new character being introduced, I feared that it would be one too many, that I would have to tell you that you need to introduce characters better. But only a few lines in, and I was hooked. I think that this has a lot to do with the  craziness and randomness of the world you are describing and the life you were living. The constant introduction of characters fits very well with the subject matter and so the reading is smooth.
As I said in my first review, this is a book that I would read on a long haul flight or a beach holiday. I highly starred and backed (well, I tried to, anyway. Some tech problems)
Plot- Memoirs, almost by definition, are open ended and have a wavering plot. But what concerned me when I started reading this book was that it was going to be a bit pointless. I have been consistently surprised by how well this carries forward, how the plot is hidden inside these stories like medicine in chocolate ice cream. And it is the hidden, character development plot that lingers there all along, underneath the great ambiance and funny interactions- here is a story of the coming of age of Joe. It is a quest for order in chaos, for meaning in an unstable world. And once this is clear, the plot is very compelling.
Character development - Again, this only refers to the last few chapters you have posted. Please see my earlier review for the comments about the earlier chapters. There are four characters that really stand out: yourself, your mother, Madge and Justin. Spud is pretty much out of the picture here, although his presence remains like the odor of a strong cheese.
You develop your own character so very well. I think that the transition from Spud to Justin to your mother to Madge offer a great opportunity to show us different facets of your character, that along with the subplot of buddhism, and how you choices affect your Karma.
Justin... what can I say. What a disaster. He is a well drawn, and ultimately dislikable character. He brought you to a bad place, a karmic negative that goes up against the positive that Madge represents. I would never touch anything that has been near his arse. You were obviously not thinking straight.
Your mother really is a lovely character, as portrayed in the book. You paint her with broad, efficient strokes, but your retelling of her history, combined with the stories of her and Madge and, of course, the reception she got in India, paint a very well developed character. As I mentioned to you earlier, the narrative of her death made me cry.
Madge is lovely, and I fond your scenes with her really endearing. Although she is a bit less clear as a character than some of the others (I don't feel I have gotten the whole story with Madge yet. There are bits and pieces, but, even though we spend a bit of time with her, I don't feel you have developed her character as much as you could- although it is clear from chapter 15 that we will be seeing a lot more of her.
Ambiance- This alone makes the book worth reading. The world of which you tell is not one that is accessible to many- not that it is glamorous. You present parts of India which I am sure I will never see, but also parts of Britain that I never thought I would be exposed to. And you write it in such an alluring way that even the dingy shops seem interesting. You make often clear that you are a veteran travel writer, and this knowledge helps alter the way in which I read this book. It is a very special travel novel, and one that I would recommend to anyone thinking about doing business in India.
You asked specifically about the drug scenes and your mother.
I think that, as I have mentioned before, both work very effectively to show your character development. Justin was really very bad for you, and so were the drugs- aren't they always. It works well to show a spiraling cycle which you manage to rescue. Your mother is, of course, lovely. When you recount her being proud of you, it brings to relief the purpose of your work in India, of your philosophy, and it harkens to the beginning of the book, when you talk about becoming closely acquainted with the customer. 
Humour- Finally, I find this book a very fun read. I rarely laughed out loud, but it was constantly funny as well as fun. Again, this is not that kind of book (although there were moments, like your mother picking individual weeds and showing them to you, or when your driver ran over the pig.)  It uses humour very successfully, and so I give it four happy faces.

Mechanics- I found only one typo, which I noted elsewhere. Although this is not beautiful writing, it is very effective story telling. I would not change a thing (well, Mr. Wow was a  bit annoying, but I still would not change it).
It is quite evident that this book will be in print soon. It has been an honour to be a reviewer of the manuscript.
Best,
Maeve

Joe aka Fr*#@ is one snazzy dude. He can sure write as good as the professionals or even better at times. Though his Dial book is his best, Rupee Millionaires is also on a grande scale of greatness. I just hope publishers can see how talented he is. A nice person like himself who has a gem of a story should never be unpublished. He is actually giving us his life in his writing . . . literally. Just look at his comments. He gets lines like . . . 'This is by far the best book I have read on authonomy.' I once said this book may be even better than the bible but because Joe is so humble he didn't want me to say that. All I can say is if I was a publisher I would pick this up and give him nothing less than a million rupees.
Nightdream

what a nice person I am

Hey joe,

I read up to halfway through chapter 3, so far Rupee Millionaires is really good! I like to offer constructive criticism with each comment, but I couldn't find anything to criticise. It's definitely something I would buy in a shop, and reminds me a little bit of 'Going Solo' by Roald Dahl.

The one piece of adivce I'd give you is don't get cocky! (you don't seem cocky at all, but, just in case.) You've got an amazing novel on your hands here, and you've obviously led an interesting life.

6 stars!

Adam Clark

ComLit review

Well I enjoyed this a lot. It made me smile, it made me laugh, but primarily it won me over with its charm. The story itself is so ridiculous it can only be true. It meanders from one incident to the next, here and there throwing up a really funny line.

Anyway, for the first part of the review I will refer to the two versions of the Prologue and Ch.1 as: the Autho version and the ComLit version.

The Autho Prologue grabbed me with its charm straightaway. The ComLit version is shorter and cleverer and has a funny last line. But I found it a little muddled. For example, it’s not immediately obvious what you refer to when you say ‘each trip’. Each trip to/from where? (This becomes clear later on in the story, but is not clear when one has just come fresh to the the book). The ComLit one could be good, but needs a little fixing, whereas the Autho one is less impersonal and has the greater charm.

Autho Ch.1 First laugh was the ‘nice man called Ronnie Kray’. The writing is easy to read and pulls you along with the fascination of the country being described and the author’s experiences.

You say “in St Martin’s”. Where exactly? By the church, in the lane, by the homeless shelter? I probably saw you. I used to walk past there every day between 1989 and 2001. You probably ripped me off! You bastard. (Tee-hee. In fact, I’m pretty sure I never bought anything from your stall. I’m trying desperately to recall it, but can’t). Anyway, maybe it’s better to refer to it as St Martin’s-in-the-Fields the first time you mention it, as you do in the ComLit version.

ComLit Ch.1. In this version we’re straight into a meeting with Spud and the saree wars. First laugh was the “Viktor may have been a psycho” line. However, I felt the background was missing: the trips to India, etc. So my vote goes for the Autho version.

Ch.2. Some great lines in this chapter. I liked the burger line the best.

I wasn’t sure about the line: “human, animal or invertebrate” - invertebrates are animals. Did you mean “inanimate” or “inanimate objects”?

Ch.3. I liked the little Buddhist voice line. This is a long chapter, but thoroughly enjoyable, particularly the second half. Typo: “in out faces” should be “in our faces”.

Ch.4. Liberty’s in Russell Square? Regent Street, surely. You have “dove” instead of “dived”. I hate that. The funniest line in the chapter was about the goat-lemming hybrid. And the every living relative line, and I loved the story about Derek the Gardener. This was my favourite chapter so far.

That’s all I read. I’ll read the rest when it’s out in paperback.

Overall, a big thumbs up for this enjoyable romp in the company of dodgy Joe Kovacs and his even dodgier pal Spud.

I love this book. The characters leap from the pages and the quality of writing is excellent. I want to put this book on my bookshelf as it is the first book on authonomy that I really want to keep reading. It deserves to be published
Judy

Joe,
I've always enjoyed reading stories about India, and yours is ingeniously crafted. Your characterization is not only vivid and real, but entertaining and funny as well.
Shelved and starred, with pleasure.
Maria

I saw a comment saying you should start a new paragraph with "Around the age of eight.... " which is about your meeting with Ronnie Kray's henchman. It would make it stand out more, but the way you have written it , shows the significance of the 'nice men' from a child's view. Having your bike confiscated would have meant a lot more then.

Although I was born in India, and lived there till I was nearly 5, I have only spent a week there as an adult. I went on a coach tour with my mother and then teenage daughter. We saw Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. India is just as you say, and you capture the atmosphere well. I have found crossing a busy street scary too. Your writing has a nice flow to it, and I found the 1st 4 chapters soothing to read, although there is a lot of excitement.

I felt annoyed with the shopkeeper who said send the rest of the goods later, and am glad that when she wanted them, you sold the lot. Serves her right!

The title of chapter 5 'Mr Bank-Rupert was enough to make me smile. This is just how an Indian, whose 1st language is not English would say ' bankrupt'. The Bollywood film Hums had me giggling, thinking of the heroine being chased by the baddies with bicycle pumps, or being doused by water. Is this the modern Bollywood equivalent of breaking into song and dance, because scenes of kissing are banned, I wonder? There is so much that is funny in this chapter. I can see why Spud wants to come back as the monkey king, who is 'paid' for servicing the females.


Gillian Bergh - Com lit.

Fantastic account of an interesting life! Only halfway through so far but it really captures the imagination and aspirations of an entrepreneur as well as a great insight to India, a country I'd love to visit. Well-deserving of its place on the ED. Will keep reading and no doubt continue to enjoy.

Lee :-)

I have read the first chapter and this is a brilliant read! I already love it. I wish I could read more but I have eye troubles and have to limit my reading and have adapted to using audiobooks. When this get's published I will purchase the audiobook without question and so it gets there quicker I will top rate it. If you have the time I would also appreciate if you could take a glance at my book.

I remember this one. You must have taken it off and re-uploaded. I backed it before and will back it again. Entertaining and well written. Marj.

Only read to chapter 5 so far and look forward to reading the rest, Joe Kovacs is a wonderful story teller and writes in a way that feels relaxed and familiar. Spud is a great real life character, the mere mention of him made me laugh. What a bizarre life you've led.
Best wishes,
Olive.

Throughly enjoyed the first chapter. Pacey, always amusing and a definite voice. Am definitely looking forward to reading on.

Hi Joe (or is it Jai Ho? - sorry, little joke there!) I've seen Rupee Millionaires all over the place and been intrigued by it as India used to be almost my second home but then I read the pitch and realised it is a true story and I had to read it right away. It's fantastic. Tightly written, funny, although I haven't been to Delhi - Bombay, or Mumbai as it is now, was where I spent most of my time, it took me right back to the chaos of those Indian markets. You have a wonderful array of characters to draw upon and it's a mystery to me why this isn't on the Editor's Desk now. It's everything a good book should be and highly publishable. I'd buy it. I'm putting it on my bookshelf until it gets to the Editor's desk. I've often wondered about writing a memoir about my years in the Middle East working for an airline but don't particularly relish a fatwa on my head. All the very best with Rupee Millionaires. If you have a chance to look at my book and make any comments I'd be very grateful.

Melanie
La Vie en Rosé

Good luck!

What makes this piece so interesting and different is the location. I have no true knowledge of India past what I learn from wikipedia, yet this piece manages to grab me and surround me with the culture without being too confusing. And since this is based off events that have happened, it gives it a sense of pace that might be hard with other people.

Great work!

Hello Joe, I've read your intro, chapters one and eleven and must say that in some ways I envy you. What was I doing at that time.....running away from my mother's influence and never actually made it. I think that your writing is great, very informative with an eye for capturing the personalities of the people you knew in India. In a way it is like a travel book but instead of a passage through the countryside, it is a passage through your life and the times that you were there in your life and I think one can know almost who you are from the perspective that you offer us. Your memoire is an invitation, as I found it, to compare my own life as a (dead)beat in the early sixties around the West End and I wonder how many people we might have known jointly, leaving the Krays out of the picture....don't like them at all. Other people's lives are always fascinating....great book, best of luck with it. Barry ( Between Caligula's Toes)

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read one of the most popular books on this site. I think its really entertaining and well written. I’d definitely buy this book and enjoy reading it, especially on holidays, but any time really.
I think it is very well paced – that’s the thing that jumps out at me most. It has a really good balance of fitting in all the details and yet keeping the story moving.

The first chapter read just about perfectly to me. It's concise and conjures up the slight confusion and excitement of a vibrant overcrowded city.
There’s only one sentence that jars (if I my be so picky)
(It was such an inappropriate question that) (take this out?)
I didn’t know what to say – perhaps reads better.

The second chapter makes me smile – why do any of us go travelling? Almost always for the same reasons – we don’t fit in at home. It’s a nice, unindulgent description and I think it gets the right amount of airspace (which is not too much).
I’m definitely going to read more of this one, as I’m sure will a lot of people once it his the shelves.
Six stars for me and waiting for a spot on my shelf.

Changes look great, Joe. Of course, everything you write looks great, so it's not a surprise! I wish I were a publisher, I'd fight to get Rupee Millionaires on my list!
Cheers!
Judy

I have read the prologue and first chapter and have to say I love this! The 'tiny turbaned sat-nav' line made me laugh out loud! I'm really interested by the fact that this is a true story. It doesn't feel like an autobiography to read - which in my opinion is a good thing - you have managed to tell the events as a story that is instantly gripping and makes me want to read more, rather than a list of factual events that happened. Happily backed and highly rated, best of luck with it!

Oktober, The Winning Hand

Wow! I recently discovered your book and started reading it. I'm so impressed with your writing style and your amazing life experiences. This is one of the best books I've read on Authonomy, and I'm sure it will be published. I can see it made into a movie.

So, so good! I am giggling as I write. This deserves to Sell a Million so you and your lovely wife can retire to Tenby!.

It's on my shelf for the forseeable. It's funny, moving, and so charming. I just cannot part with my favourite five.

Good Luck with it Joe

Mary

Rupee Millionaires – Thoughts on Rewrite

Joe,

Really enjoying the work you’ve done on this edit. And so glad that you’ve managed to incorporate some of the suggestions I made on the previous draft. In particular, the idea of the controlling idea for each chapter has really worked for you. The narrative now has a much greater clarity of purpose which allows the individual episodes to really take on a life of their own, rather than be lost within the more sprawling quality of the previous version.

My thoughts on this rewrite are relatively few; a few style suggestions (yes, even from “three-clause” Wiz!!) and one or two structural things. Again, take what’s useful.

Prologue:

To my mind, this is much more arresting. The incident with the Colonel is a great place to preface the story as it gives a springboard for the narrative to come.

I wondered if it might be an idea, both here, and elsewhere, to more clearly delineate the dialogue, ie. to put it on a line of its own. I say this for two reasons. One of them is from an ease of read perspective: having more white space is easier on the eye, and I know for a fact that prof readers always flick through a MS in order to see how “dense” the pages look.

The second reason for the suggestion is to do with making the book read more like a novel/memoir hybrid. At the moment, it seems to be leaning more towards a diary form, and I think the dramatic nature of many of the incidents you describe would be better served by presenting them so. It might involve a few tweaks here and there, but you could always try it and see if it works for you.

“…It was such an inappropriate question that I hadn’t known what to say.

‘Erm, to cross this road?’

Upon hearing this, my new friend grabbed my arm and ushered me, like a tiny turbaned sat-nav, through the maelstrom of traffic to the other side…”

Do you see what I mean?

Similarly, the final paragraph of the prologue could do, I feel, with “disassembling” a bit. It read a little congestedly to me, from ‘Buy my packet! Buy my packet!’ onwards, although it’s a great closing sentence.

Chapter One:

You’ve really taken on board the idea of coming in and ending with a bang in your chapters, now. The opening line here is compelling and makes me want to read on.

I would start the sentence “Around the age of eight…” on a new paragraph. The episode with Ronnie Kray’s money man is so incredibly potent that it needs to stand alone and not be lost in the rest of the preceding sentences. Also, I would lose the “though” in the line “though this job didn’t last very long”. You are building up to a punchline here, and words like “though” tend to weaken the effect.

I kind of wanted a meatier word than “fun” in the line “India was fun”. It doesn’t really say much to me, even though you qualify the statement afterwards.

I like the idea of losing the second qualification, “Well, not in a suit, anyway”. It would read stronger, I feel as:

…”Six weeks into my first trip…I’d forgotten that I’d ever worn a suit to work. By the time I returned, in April, I’d vowed never to work again…”

If you then go into the line about deciding to become a writer instead it makes it funnier; writing being what many people regard as not a proper job!

…”(And) it couldn’t have come at a better time…” New para. perhaps? (New idea)

I would transpose the last two paragraphs, which would involve losing a couple of lines, granted, but I think the line about the sari wars kicking off is a more dramatic end to this chapter. Hence, inserting the current last para before the asterisk, and ending at …”tired but triumphant”, then making the last para the one that begins “Without warning, at the end of 1990…”

The line about St Martin’s and Spud is a good one, and if you can’t bear to lose it, could, perhaps, be inserted into the next chapter?


Chapter Two:

Here might be the perfect place to insert the line excised from the previous chapter:

“…Until Spud turned up, I did not have one friend at St Martin’s; they all thought I was too cheap.

I returned to my stall in January…”

The rest of this chapter sparkles. Spud comes alive for me, now, and the machinations of the market “food-chain” is wonderfully rendered.

Chapter Three:

Really like this chapter; it is evocative, funny and really memorable. I love the way you held off describing India in great detail up until this point so that we can experience it (as you re-experienced it) through Spud’s eyes. It makes it very fresh.

The only thing I would change, again, is to make the page less dense visually, by breaking up some of the dialogue into lines of their own.
The chants of the market boys would be a good example of where this could be done, and would make the randomness of it all much punchier.

…”and – every few seconds – somebody wandering up to enquire:

‘Hashish? What you want? Anything possible, mister…’

‘Change dollar? You remember me?’

‘What is my nem? What country you? Why you no speak me?’…”

Etc.

The exchange about the fridge and the patriot missile is one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. Seriously brilliant.

Perhaps change “which was why I had started using earplugs years ago” to “It was why I had started using earplugs years ago”. Punchier.

The downward spiral of Spud is gaining momentum now, and with a great sense of drama. I get a clear sense of the direction of the narrative, which is excellent.

In short, Joe, you are very close, here. I really applaud the changes you’ve made and feel that the book is very much stronger, tighter, and cleaner for it. Well done, matey. I wish it all the very best on its forward journey.

Best wishes,

Wiz

A Small Death

http://www.authonomy.com/books/38849/a-small-death/

This is definitely ready for the editor's desk! Great job. Hope you have a chance to look at Dark Side by CC Brown. Good Luck.
61BBboy

No problem, I'm more than happy to back a book as intriguing and well written as this one is. It has a nicely controlled Hunter Thompson quality to it, which as I write it seems like a tad bit of a contradiction. Anyway, hope you enjoy 'Avalon' when you do indeed get about to reading it. Hope you enjoy the peace and tranquility now before literary fame comes your way.

Peace & Love,
Brian

Hi Joe,
It looks like you're well on your way to the top but I guess every little helps! Really enjoyed your conversational style and especially your excellent prologue - very concise but it really sets the scene.
Best wishes,
Lucy

Just updating you, Joe. Just starting now on chapter 13. I have loved the last few chapters and cried at the one about your mum and how she died. I can tell that it had a huge impact on you by the things that you have avoided saying really. It was as though that period was too painful to re-visit, and when you say that you can't remember much, or that you just wanted to be alone, the readers that understand, will.....well, they'll just understand. Will finish the remaining chapters this evening. I had hoped you might get pushed towards a January desk, but even if it's February, that will still be fine. Love Julie xx

Oh yes, based on the first chapter this is going straight to bookshelf.
I, very - oddly/weirdly/stupidly/impulsively/...but honestly, ask myself whether or not a book draws me in with its first chapter and makes me want to grab an armchair, a coffee and a dog to stroke so I can get comfortable and dive into the story. Most don't, a few do. This is one, I have it open in a separate tab as I type this message.
Now...back to the book and armchair.

My word, what a scamp you were! My time in India was beautifully evoked by your exciting and well paced memoir. I stayed at the Fairlawn Hotel in Calcutta - now, of course, Kolkata, where the 'Shakespeare Wallah' family used to reside, when touring, and visited the very theatre where my father learned his craft. A sentimental journey, as is yours, reading between the lines. So up it pops onto my shelf, with warmest wishes for an imminent take-off. Yours, Pan

This is brilliant; my life has been very dull compared to yours! It flows like a dream. Very well done.

Love it! A memoir with a tale to tell. It reads a bit like 'Mr Nice', sraight in to it, flowing, easy to read. Looking forward to reading more!

This is great. I really enjoyed the first few chapters, can't wait to read more.
Thanks for the read.

Michelle

This is a fun read. I think a great sign of a well written memoir is that I have to double check a few times to see if it's fiction or not! the breezy, open style drew me right in. Nicely done!
Tod Schneider
The Lost Wink

I read the first five chapters and found it to be interesting and full of light humor that keeps you going. I will deffinately give it five stars.
Richard McStay

This is by far the best book I have read on Authonomy. I have to keep reminding myself its all based on real life experiences (you have lead an intersting life) It is so good and deserves to be published.
Wishing you the best of luck
kelly