It’s been nearly two months since Yann Martel released his second book, Beatrice and Virgil, to a slew of utterly horrible reviews. But that didn’t stop John Crace from adding one more nail to the coffin yesterday. And what a nail it is!
In an article for the Guardian, Crace lampoons Martel’s simple style and overwrought metaphors by giving the book’s origins the same treatment. Here’s a sample:
“I’ve finished,” cried Yann.
“Oh shit,” his publisher replied. “We’ve waited long enough so we’d better print it and hope no one notices you’ve run out of ideas.”
“I think it’s brilliant,” said Yann. A sentence that was his finest work of fiction in years.
Well then! Hopefully Martel will take the high road here and not feel the need to respond to this as well.