This Saturday, 11 August 2012, is set to be rather special: I will go to a reading and book signing event with author Mike Phillips, which takes place in the grounds of the fabulously named Bruce Castle in Haringey, North London (Lordship Lane, Tottenham, N17 8NU). More info here: www.facebook.com/events/328138820613977/
I met Mike Phillips in 2004, I think, through our common interest in Romanian culture. I remember being struck not only by his interest in my home country, but by the in-depth knowledge of many cultural and social aspects of Romanian life - knowledge that I am afraid to say it is not shared by some Romanians I know.
So, here was this successful British writer who wanted to do something in order to make Romanian culture better known in the UK. What's not to like about that? I was fortunate to work with Mike on many events, from book launches to bringing Romanian theatres to the UK and organising Romanian film festivals. But I think that, by far, the best was being able to work, as a co-translator, with Mike Phillips and Ramona Mitrica, on the three Romanian books published Profusion Crime Series. I already knew Mike's competences in the areas of literature, film and theatre - but now, working on the translation of examples of "popular culture" I got to appreciate how well he'd got to know the Romanian psyche.
Then came the fourth book in the Profusion Crime Series: the amazingly frank and wonderfully objective "Rimaru - Butcher of Bucharest". I've already written about it on this blog. Now I will have the occasion to listen to Mike talk about the genesis of the volume, and, as an extra bonus, he will be reading from it. Between you and me, he has a wonderful reading voice, so that would definitely be a treat. Mike will also talk about his novel "A Shadow of Myself", a very good book in which cultures, interests and personalities clash in an exciting, Noir environment.
See you at the Bruce Castle!
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