“Half memoir, half travel, A Yank Back to England...is an absolutely wonderful book, not only about going home again but also about love and family and tradition and the passage of the years.”
—Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic (Washington
Post)
To see the entire quote, click here.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Prodigal Tourist finds a home

You may have heard, the Prodigal household is celebrating--we've found a publisher for my book about my rediscovery of my old home! It's to be called A Yank Back to England: The Prodigal Tourist Returns and will be out in December in Washington, everywhere else in January.
We were holding off on the happy news (not on the celebrating, as you can see from the pic) until the website was ready, but we got scooped by our friend Melissa at Smitten by Britain , who already put the book in her Amazon store! (You are naughty, and we love you for it!) so... here we are! Site-less but thrilled! Until we're ready, we will link to Amazon on the side column (US, UK, Canada, & Europe) for anyone who wants to take advantage of the low pre-order price. (And tar very much!)
For those of you who are unsure, or new to the blog, we do have a wonderful testimonial from Pulitzer-prize winning critic Michael Dirda, who read the mss and wrote:

“Half memoir, half travel book, A Yank Back to England never stints the reader: Here is England seen entire, from inside out, from bottom to top, as Denis Lipman returns from America to his working-class family home in blighted Dagenham. From there he, his young American wife, and his cockney Mum and Dad embark on a series of funny, touching, madcap and even surreal adventures as they visit celebrated landmarks and holiday spots in England—as well as a good many pubs. The result is an absolutely wonderful book, not only about going home again but also about love and family and tradition and the passage of the years.”

Couldn't ask for a better quote from a wonderful critic and author. Now one more thing: I want to thank all of you who have supported and encouraged us over the otherwise-bleak last few months--reading your comments and emails has been most wonderful and cheering, and I mean this most sincerely.
So celebrate with us! Lift a glass to A Yank Back to England, to me, and to the long-suffering Prodigal Wife!
Cheers,
Denis (a.k.a., The Prodigal Tourist)

18 comments:

Smitten by Britain said...

Yes, that's me, always causing trouble. I'm very pleased for you and what a great review to start with. Congrats.

Michelloui said...

Looking forward to reading it! Perhaps my Essex boy will enjoy it as well...

Anonymous said...

How exciting! That's brilliant news; you must be so chuffed!

Keep us updated & I look forward to reading it. x

Amy said...

Just the post I've been waiting for! Can't wait for my copy to come in! - Amy

Daffycat said...

Congratulations, Denis! I'm really looking forward to reading it!

The Vintage Kitten said...

Wow that is brilliant. Congratulations! If its as witty as your blog then it will be a fab read X

Carolyn said...

I just found your blog through Michelle's lovely Mid-Atlantic English.

Congratulations on your book! I look forward to reading it. My partner Clive was born in Suffolk (Ipswich, and grew up in Felixstowe) and I love visiting England with him.

Also enjoyed your expat interview. I read some parts aloud to Clive, who still teases me about budder vs. butter.

Cheers from Sydney (and sometimes Paris).

The Prodigal Tourist said...

You guys are so great, this means so much.
Smitten--yes, you are naughty! Gave us a good push though, probably needed that! And yes, couldn't have asked for a better quote from M. Dirda, SO encouraging, really helped us push forward in our search.
Michelloui--thank you, so hope you enjoy it! And I hope your Essex boy gives it a shot, it may raise a knowing smile...he probably has the same family I do!
Urban Cynic--chuffed, I haven't heard that in a while! And yes I am, thank you. We all are (Frances found the publisher, of course!).
Amy--I think you bought the first copy, you lovely lady! See you in New York!
Daffy--thank you so much. I really hope you enjoy it. You know all the characters -- and you know we do A LOT of tea drinking (when we're not at the pub of course)!
Vintage Kitten--thank you, you're very kind, I hope you do find it witty and it finds you smiling.
And to all: I'm so excited!

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Carolyn--your comment came in just as I saved... Thank you for your wishes! So pleased you found us. The book is not yet available in Australia (hopefully soon?) but it is in France. I have a soft spot in my heart for Paris, nothing but good memories. And do tell Clive, one of the cottages/weeks featured in the book is in lovely Suffolk, and what a wonderful discovery it was for me. (Typical Essex boy!)

Unknown said...

Congratulations!!!! I have just preordered my copy on Amazon.
Any plans to host a wild raucous book launch party??

A Brit in Tennessee said...

This is so exciting ! Despite being a long, sometimes boulder in the road, journey, you have proved sticking with what you believe in, truly pays off....
Congratulations, I'll be ordering my copy ASAP.

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Xpat--Hurray--and thanks! PARTY! Can't wait... you're local, aren't you? Look forward to seeing you there!
Brit: You're very sweet, your support means a lot! Plus you're buying a book, couldn't ask for more than that (other than continued visits here, of course!).

Mandy said...

Oh how exciting! Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Glass lifted... Nice, congratulations and all that. Have miised your posts during my enforced absence, but pc up and running again.

AV

Tess Kincaid said...

This is terrific news!!! And I'm not really surprised, because you are a fabulous writer. Are we breaking open champagne?

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Emm--thank you! Yes, quite exciting.
AV--welcome back! Look forward to "seeing" you around again! And of course your avatar is perfect this week, thanks for the lifted glass!
Willow--you always say the right thing! Thank you. And yes, we might have had a little champagne, though as Xpat said, we're waiting for the party!

Linda Jennings said...

Congratulations!!! Your book is on my "must buy" list! I look forward to updated information.

Maggie said...

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be buying a copy and hoping to get it autographed!