Comments on: The Children’s Book by A. S. Byatt http://knopf.knopfdoubleday.com/2009/10/06/the-childrens-book-by-a-s-byatt/ Knopf Doubleday Wed, 16 May 2012 19:08:01 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 By: pcortland http://knopf.knopfdoubleday.com/2009/10/06/the-childrens-book-by-a-s-byatt/comment-page-1/#comment-36151 pcortland Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:25:05 +0000 http://knopfdoubleday.com/?p=4684#comment-36151 MK: The punctuation is definitely intentional. I'm not sure if Byatt has always punctuated dialogue in this manner, but she feels very strongly about the way it is done in <em>The Children's Book</em>, and you'll find that the punctuation is, in its own way, consistent throughout the book. I hope you are able to adjust. MK: The punctuation is definitely intentional. I’m not sure if Byatt has always punctuated dialogue in this manner, but she feels very strongly about the way it is done in The Children’s Book, and you’ll find that the punctuation is, in its own way, consistent throughout the book. I hope you are able to adjust.

]]> By: MK http://knopf.knopfdoubleday.com/2009/10/06/the-childrens-book-by-a-s-byatt/comment-page-1/#comment-36136 MK Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:32:51 +0000 http://knopfdoubleday.com/?p=4684#comment-36136 What is up with the bizarre punctuation in this novel? It is very distracting. Are times so hard that Knopf can't afford a copy editor, or is it intentional, i.e., "artsy"? Here's an example: Phoebe Methley said "We propose to speak on your behalf to Mrs. Fludd, and make the arrangements clear and satisfactory." Elsie said slowly "There's been a great deal of talking about me behind my back." Where are the commas? What is up with the bizarre punctuation in this novel? It is very distracting. Are times so hard that Knopf can’t afford a copy editor, or is it intentional, i.e., “artsy”? Here’s an example:

Phoebe Methley said “We propose to speak on your behalf to Mrs. Fludd, and make the arrangements clear and satisfactory.”
Elsie said slowly
“There’s been a great deal of talking about me behind my back.”

Where are the commas?

]]> By: Ellen Fitzpatrick http://knopf.knopfdoubleday.com/2009/10/06/the-childrens-book-by-a-s-byatt/comment-page-1/#comment-36052 Ellen Fitzpatrick Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:07:34 +0000 http://knopfdoubleday.com/?p=4684#comment-36052 Am enjoying the hell out of this book. I thought I was off on some post-modern Peter Pan trip, but it becomes more complex and challenging with each chapter, But don't we all? Congratulations, Am enjoying the hell out of this book. I thought I was off on some post-modern Peter Pan trip, but it becomes more complex and challenging with each chapter, But don’t we all? Congratulations,

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