The Cry of the Sloth

Firmin, Sam Savage’s first book-published when he was 65-years-old-was a major critical hit for Coffee House and a huge commercial success in Europe. Re-issued in the U.S. by Delta Trade Paperbacks in 2008, it continues to garner fans across the globe-including the writers Philip Pullman, Karen Joy Fowler, and Donna Leon; America’s most famous librarian, Nancy Pearl, who chose it as one of her favorite books for NPR; yeoman bookseller Robert Gray, who wrote about it numerous times for Shelf Awareness; and The Who’s Pete Townshend. Firmin was an ALA Notable Book, Book Sense Annual Highlight, Library Journal Top Debut Novel selection and a Litblog Co-op Read This! pick (selected by Ed Champion). It was also a finalist for the B&N Discover Great New Writers Award, the PEN L.L. Winship Award, and the Society of Midland Authors Award. Like Firmin, this is a send-up of the literary life and the loneliness and madness that accompanies it. Instead of a rat’s perspective, though, this story is conveyed through every word the main character commits to paper over the course of four months and reveals the delusions we harbor and personae we adopt when we address the various players in our life-from bill collectors to former lovers, those we admire and those we loathe. It’s also a hilarious (and cautionary) tale for anyone who has ever wondered about the inner lives of writers, editors, and publishers. Simultaneous publication in Spain, Italy, and the UK (through Orion Books) will boost the book’s profile.