From the discovery of a rare book to news of upcoming film adaptions, here’s some book news to whet your literary appetite.
VIRGINIA WOOLF
A personal copy ofVirginia Woolf’sdebut novel,The Voyage Out, has been discovered by theUniversity of Sydneyafter being misplaced in the rare books science section.The Voyage Outwas written byWoolfwhen she was 25 and grapples with the author’s ideas on women’s rights, colonialism and mental illness.The University of Sydney’srare copy features a handwritten signature and revisions that provide insight intoWoolf’sopinions on her writing.
OVERDUE RETURNS
OVERDUE RETURNSA first edition copy of Sir Arthur C Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey has been returned to a library in Scunthorpe, England, 53 years after it was first borrowed in 1969. The copy was found in a bag with other library-owned books by a storeowner clearing out their shop. The book is now back on the shelves in Scunthorpe Central Library for the public to read and enjoy once again.
FAST FACT 1
When Aldous Huxley was a toddler, he had such a disproportionately large head that he was given the nickname Ogie, meaning Ogre.
FAST FACT 2
Emily Henry, bestselling author of Beach Read and Book Lovers, will release a new novel titled Funny Story in April 2024.
LITERARY ESCAPISM
A survey of 2,000 American readers conducted by OnePoll and ThriftBooks has found that books set during World War II were the most successful in providing an escape from the real world for the respondents. From the 2,000 survey responses, it was also seen that the fantasy genre was most highly valued by readers as a way to ‘lose yourself’ in a different world.
GOOD NEWS
GOOD NEWSHamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda is rumoured to be working on an adaptation of Sol Yurick’s The Warriors
