NEW A N Wilson WEDGWOOD NOVEL PUBLISHED TODAY - GREAT BOOK REVIEW

Back in February I posted a preview of an interesting sounding new book by the son of the late famed Wedgwood designer Norman. Wilson, The Potter's Hand by A. N. Wilson.  It was promised to be published by Atlantic Books today, and so it was.  Tristram Hunt, British MP, and one of my favorite living Brits, has written an excellent, detailed review of the book which appears in today's Financial Times.  I am pleased to post it here for the viewing of all Wedgwoodians.  It's a fictional work laced with a dose of reality.  Click here to go directly to Hunt's excellent review, it'll probably make you want to order this book today, I've ordered mine from Amazon.com, less than $25us including shipping from UK. [My book arrived today, 9/8, GREAT service from the Amazon seller "The Book Depository" in UK.  Shipping was only $3.99.  I can't wait to begin reading!]  HERE is another great review I just found from Country Life Bookshop in UK.  "This is the historical novel at its most ambitious."  And HERE is yet another review with interesting photos which I think our readers will enjoy ~ Wilson's own commentary on his novel is insightful as one begins to read the book.

 November 7 - I've begun reading the book and am also hearing from my Wedgwood friends around the world....the reviews of the book are less than stellar, and I'm having trouble giving the book much of my time.  I find it laborious to read and perhaps too much on the negative side to enjoy it.  Personally I am lover of historical fiction, and read quite a bit of it; however in this case, since so much is actually known about the Wedgwoods from letters, journals and other sources, this fictional story isn't seeming even plausible, let alone entertaining.  For me, to deserve my time, a book must offer me something, even if it is a fictional story to provide a bit of escape from reality.  Admittedly it's not finished yet, and admittedly I am biased in favor of the Wedgwoods,  but I'm thinking I might not allow The Potter's Hand much more of my time - perhaps unfair but it IS my time to value isn't it?  My friends' reviews are definitely coloring my opinion, so fairness would dictate my finishing the book...I'll let you know my decision!  I'd be interested in having readers comment here on how they view this book.  November 9th, I've found another review from the UK Telegraph which gives a bit of insight into the book, go HERE to read it and see a photo of the author.