Double double toil and ...

[threemonkeys]

I suspect most regular readers have come across that sinking feeling that accompanies the discovery that the book you spent your hard earned money on is one that you have previously bought and read under a different title. A few choice epithets directed at publishers is probably the result. I'm sure publishers have good reasons for changing titles but it is no consolation when you get caught out.

This time I got caught by The Unknown Soldier by Sean Willians and Shane Dix. This 1995 title was republished as The Prodigal Sun (Evergence 1) in 1999 - a book I read when it came out. One thing though is that the books are not exactly the same. The original Aphelion published book has had a bit of a spruce up before getting a mass market release from Ace. Most obviously all the names seem to have been changed - characters, spacecraft planets etc. At first blush this seems an odd thing to change, but I read the first chapter of the two books for comparison and the newer book does seem to flow a tiny bit better. The names are on average easier to track in the mind - less syllables and more familiar sounds. But it is a subtle thing and you wonder why they bothered. There are other differences - the prologue is new which accounts for why I didn't immediately spot that it was a book I had read before.

So the differences between the books gave me something to write about. But is it worth reading or owning both volumes? No. Am I still a bit ticked off? Yes.

Comments

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Hi there

Sorry to hear you were ticked off about the Unknown Soldier/Prodigal Sun situation. We certainly weren't setting out to rip anyone off. For an explanation, see my FAQ page here: http://www.seanwilliams.com/FAQ.htm#TUS.

I hope that goes some way towards making you feel better about it, and us.

Cheers,
Sean

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

PS: that's Shane Dix, not Nix. :-)

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

I hope that goes some way towards making you feel better about it, and us

Cool - I understand now. I feel fine about you really - I really like your work. Like every other time this has happened, I end up more ticked off at myself than anybody else for not realising what is happening.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

*head meets hand*. I knew that - Garth must have crept into my consciousness somehow.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

It's an easy mistake. I've been caught out that way too, and I completely understand your frustration. Some US readers have gone to the very great trouble of tracking down copies of The Unknown Soldier off the web, only to find out that they've read it before. With, what's more, what Locus described as possibly they worst opening to a novel ever written. (Obviously we fixed that bit for The Prodigal Sun. )

Thanks for your kind words, btw. I'm glad you're enjying the books.

[russellk.livejournal.com]

Worst opening ever written? Oooh, I want to read it now. Anyone got a spare copy they want to sell?

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

I have a boxful, if you're really keen. :-)

[russellk.livejournal.com]

Looks like some business will be conducted next time I make it to Australia (though probably not the entire box). Unless Ross decides he doesn't want his?

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Send me your address (mail@seanwilliams.com) and I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement. :-)

Same goes for anyone. I'm always open to international trade.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

You're welcome to my copy. Not sure when we are next going to be in the same city for a handover though.

[halspacejock.livejournal.com]

I have a signed copy, so keep your mitts off ;-)