It's no secret: I love books.
Reading is like meditation to me... my mind becomes still and the stories, scenery and characters unfold in front of my inner eye. It's magical. And so relaxing. Usually.
Reading is like meditation to me... my mind becomes still and the stories, scenery and characters unfold in front of my inner eye. It's magical. And so relaxing. Usually.
The last book I read was kind of an exception:
A few weeks ago our friend Theo came back from his vacation to the Dominican Republic and announced that he had been eaten alive by mosquitos and read a book:
"It's pretty good," he told me. "It deals with time travel and the Maya. You should read it."
I had just finished the novel I had been reading over the holidays, so I was up for it, but I didn't expect what this book had in store for me.
Don't get me wrong. I don't regret reading it. It was pretty well written and the author seemed to have done his homework with all the Maya stuff. But I had some moments when I wanted to set the book on fire while reading it. That certainly was a first.
Don't get me wrong. I don't regret reading it. It was pretty well written and the author seemed to have done his homework with all the Maya stuff. But I had some moments when I wanted to set the book on fire while reading it. That certainly was a first.
The author lets the main character use words and phrases in foreign languages, including German. And 9 out of 10 times he got it wrong. I got upset when I saw it the first time.
I told myself to let it go. It's just a book, right? Then it happened again... and again.. and again. By the time I had finished the novel I was so pissed off that I felt I needed to take action. So last night I emailed Brian D'Amato. And this is what I wrote:
Subject: Issues with the use of German phrases or why I feel like poking my eyes
Hi Brian,
I have just finished reading "In the Courts of the Sun".
In general I enjoyed your book, but there are a few things that I find upsetting.
I get that it is neat to have Jed throw in phrases in foreign languages. But if it's done incorrectly it just sucks.
I am German and since I am also a writer myself I feel like someone stabbed me in the eye each time I see words and phrases used in the wrong way.
There are many examples in your book, but page 421 stood out the most: "So auch auf jener Oberfläche sich noch im krystallinischem Zustand befände." REALLY??? Is that necessary? I was contemplating to throw the book out of the window the moment I read that, because I was so pissed off.
It just really makes you not look good. Throughout the book you really get the feeling that you did so much research on the Maya, etc... and kudos for that, but why not here? Why not have someone who knows German look over those phrases before you use them?
I'm sure your publicist knows someone if you don't....
Well, and if not.. heck I'll help you with the other 2 novels that are still to come if that's what it takes.
So, anyways... I'll let you get back to writing and I hope my little feedback (rant) was helpful to you in some way.
Kind regards,
Melissa
I don't know if I really expect a response.. but at least I feel better now... my Zen is restored. ;)
Subject: Issues with the use of German phrases or why I feel like poking my eyes
Hi Brian,
I have just finished reading "In the Courts of the Sun".
In general I enjoyed your book, but there are a few things that I find upsetting.
I get that it is neat to have Jed throw in phrases in foreign languages. But if it's done incorrectly it just sucks.
I am German and since I am also a writer myself I feel like someone stabbed me in the eye each time I see words and phrases used in the wrong way.
There are many examples in your book, but page 421 stood out the most: "So auch auf jener Oberfläche sich noch im krystallinischem Zustand befände." REALLY??? Is that necessary? I was contemplating to throw the book out of the window the moment I read that, because I was so pissed off.
It just really makes you not look good. Throughout the book you really get the feeling that you did so much research on the Maya, etc... and kudos for that, but why not here? Why not have someone who knows German look over those phrases before you use them?
I'm sure your publicist knows someone if you don't....
Well, and if not.. heck I'll help you with the other 2 novels that are still to come if that's what it takes.
So, anyways... I'll let you get back to writing and I hope my little feedback (rant) was helpful to you in some way.
Kind regards,
Melissa
I don't know if I really expect a response.. but at least I feel better now... my Zen is restored. ;)
Melissa --
ReplyDeleteHi -- Thanks for your kind words on the book. You're right, of course -- I looked up the Schopenhauer and it seems to be "so auch auf jener die Oberfläche sich noch im krystallinischen Zustande befände." Even without much German, I should have noticed at least the m for the n in the plural -- anyway, I'll put it in with my next batch of corrections to the proofreaders for coming editions (which is already a longer list than I'm proud of)... thanks for your offer of help and I might indeed take you up on it -- best,
Brian
Hi Brian... thanks for your reply and your email... I just sent you a response as the "n" is not the actual issue here... Melissa
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