Comments on: Derby Day, by D.J. Taylor

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:25:15 +0000

David: As someone who knows a fair bit about horse racing (Mrs. KfC and I had a small stable for some years), I’ll predict that you are going to find more mistakes as the novel proceeds — Taylor doesn’t know the sport quite as well as he might. The St Leger error really is a howler.

I’ll forgive him “this year’s Derby”. By November, that calendar year’s Derby is past history and next spring’s race is “this year”.

By: David

David — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:32:43 +0000

I have just started to read Derby Day and have to say that the three annoying errors I have noticed in just the first few pages are spoiling my enjoyment of what initially promised to be a good read.

In chapter 1, McIvor tells Mulligan that Dukes Delight floundered in the St Leger, as the horse “never came out of the ditch at the thirteenth”. The fact is that the St Leger is a flat race, so there wouldn’t have been a ditch, or a thirteenth (jump). A pretty fundamental error for a novel set within the sport of horse racing.

Later in chapter 1, the two chancers devise an advertisement, boasting that they have the winner of “this year’s Derby”. However, this takes place in November, whereas the Derby is run in June: i.e. next year.

And then a howler of an editing error in the 3rd chapter, with “Mr Happerton had heard of Messrs Rivington, but this did not make him like Mr Happerton any better.”

I hope I don’t come across any more errors like these, but I’ll let you know if I do.

By: RickP

RickP — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:21:51 +0000

I’m reading both right now. I’m reading Half Blood Blues which about 100 pages in has exceeded my expectations.

I will complete Booker shortlist (Pigeon English completes it). I just got my Giller shipment, Zentner, Bezmogis, Ondaatje and Johnston. I’m looking forward to it.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:56:21 +0000

Rick: I had much the same response. Yes, there were parts where it slowed down but the author quickly moved on to another theme and picked up interest. It is not my idea of a “Booker” book, but it was in my top six.

And, to cheer you up, I know that you read the Booker before the Giller. Get ready — there are some very interesting, innovative books awaiting you. They aren’t perfect but they are challenging. Reading will soon be getting better. And I still have seven to go.

By: RickP

RickP — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:52:47 +0000

I enjoyed the hell out of this book. It’s not particularly literary but a is really strong story. The author had great command of the detail and wrote it in a very old style. It had a very Dickensian feel.

I agree that it shouldn’t win the prize but on my shortlist without question. It’s probably #2 or #3 and close to On Canaan’s Side. Barnes still easily #1 as I think I’ve stated 100 timess. If I jkeep saying it then maybe Barnes will win the prize.

By: RickP

RickP — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:57:45 +0000

I think I’ll enjoy it. I would not usually consider it a long book. Now that I seem to be reading 250 page book after 250 page book of Booker nominees, it seems long relatively speaking. The short lengths seems to be more pronounced this year which I think you’ve pointed out.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:16:44 +0000

Rick: Like most Victorian “mysteries”, it reads quickly if you are enrolled in the book and you don’t really notice the length. If you aren’t, it probably drags along for you and might be best abandoned — the form is certainly not to eveyone’s taste.

By: RickP

RickP — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:59:36 +0000

I finally got this from England and it’s next on my list. Kevin has made a good point on how short many of this year’s longlist books are. Derby Day suddenly seems like a long book.

By: Guy Savage

Guy Savage — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:50:48 +0000

I don’t leave home without my kindle.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:37:24 +0000

Mary: Thanks for that information on Taylor — I’ll admit that he is an author who has flown under the radar for me. I will remember Derby Day, but then there are not a lot of horse-racing novels for me to remember.

I don’t own an e-reader and am not likely to get one, simply because I do all my reading in comfortable chairs in a wonderful home. I do know of several people for whom they are essential because they can no longer handle physical books. And certainly those with a long commute or who travel a lot love them. I’d say that means that overall that makes them a very good thing — more books are available to more readers.