Project number 2 completed last Sunday, when my first ever review of someone else’s book was published in the Racing Post. I couldn’t be sure when it would appear until the day itself, and I didn’t want to say anything in advance in case it was deferred or radically altered. The author in question has produced rather more studious works than mine, so it felt a bit presumptuous for the apprentice to give feedback to the master.
It is quite a delicate art. One has a deadline and given a number of words to keep within. Obviously I had to explain what the book is about and give an opinion, but some critics use reviews to show how clever they think they are. I wanted to concentrate on the description so that readers would get a good idea of they would like the book and buy it. The word count limit meant that I had to choose every word very carefully to ensure it conveyed the desired description in the briefest possible terms.
Seeing my words make it into print without many changes by the books editor, I felt pleased and relieved. He has sent me another one to review, so I hope I can become an established member of his panel. This book is only ninety pages, and I’ve been able to compose my first draft quite quickly. I read it in one sitting, unlike The Blood is Racing (see four weeks ago). This is a very different kettle of fish containing lots of history, familiar and otherwise, and demanding much more concentration.
There hasn’t been much time for Bromley work, though this morning I had a walk round the area where the 19th century racecourse was. I would like to pin down its exact location; it didn’t last long enough to feature on any maps. There were some parts where I thought, “Yes, it might have been here.” Further research needed!
