Review: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

I don’t know why I waited so long to read Mordecai Richler’s The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. This is a work of genius. From a literary perspective, Richler’s style is relentless, employing very little environmental description, choosing instead dialogue that scintillates. He cements plot with sharp, keen characters, an elegantly simplistic language. There isn’t a scene, a phrase, a word out of place here. From an entertainment perspective this a rocketing good read, with a…

Update: From Mountains of Ice

My latest novel, From Mountains of Ice, is now out for comment from a few trusted colleagues whose opinions I value. This is the first new novel I’ve written since the early ’90s, and one about which I’m very excited. I suppose it was a rediscovery of my own roots that led me to set the novel loosely in an Italian Renaissance world, although there are definite ancient Roman and Byzantine influences there as well….

Chapters/Indigo Now Stocking ’60 Days’

Just received more good news from Indigo! The non-fiction buyer has agreed to stock Paul Lima’s book, How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days, in the following locations: World’s Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward Street, Toronto, OntarioChapters, Bayers Lake Power Centre, 188 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax, Nova ScotiaChapters, West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta Sales performance will be reviewed in six months time, and if the buyer feels the book has performed well (which I’m…

Yesterday’s Book Signing

It would appear I had stiff competition for yesterday’s book signing at Indigo in Burlington, in the form of the first glorious spring day in Ontario. In fact, it was positively summery out there, and people opted to stay ‘out there’ rather than return to concrete and glass as they have all winter. Staff, who normally would have been kept quite busy, found time to tidy, dust, chat, and I sat there making notes for…

Preview: From Mountains of Ice

I thought some of you might find of interest a preview of the prologue from From Mountains of Ice, the new cultural fantasy novel on which I’m currently working. From Mountains of Ice is slated for release either this fall, or early 2010, from Five Rivers Chapmanry. He tried very hard to remain still, to be strong, project the image of the Royal Prince he was. That scream in his throat had a life of…