King wrote a cool 15-page introduction to the book and was along to help Don move a few copies. My impression of the two men was that Robertson was a bit shy and introverted in comparison to King, but I suppose that most authors are. Sadly Mr. Robertson is no longer with us.
The Ideal Genuine Man is described this way (via this excerpt from the book jacket):
Set in Houston - a Houston which in Robertson's hands becomes a simmering nightmare landscape - it is the story of Herman Marshall, a retired truckdriver whose wife is dying of cancer and who is himself trying to come to grips with the fact of his own old age in a society where the elderly are discarded like empty beer-cans.I haven't read the novel since 1988, but just handling the book today has convinced me that it deserves to be reread and talked about again. More later...
I missed seeing Stephen King at a convention here in Ottawa - it was in 1985, I think, and I moved here in 1986. I would have loved to have heard him talk about his writing! How lucky you are to have a photograph and have gone to a book signing with him.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Bybee has read this book, she loves Don Robertson's other books so much and has convinced me to try one. I'm due to read it soon, I think.
I got kind of lucky and saw King later in London, Susan, including a long, one-on-one, interview he did in one of the city's large halls. Coincidentally, both times, I was wearing Boston Red Sox headgear and he spent a long time talking baseball with me...especially in London when he was dying to get the previous day's scores and I had them. He's a funny guy.
ReplyDeleteWow, great picture. I'm a big fan of King's work and would love to meet him but doubt I ever will!
ReplyDeleteHi Sam! I just came across your cool photo of Stephen King and Don Robertson. I was trying to contact you to discover more about this event in 1988 and possibly publishing your account with our readers. I can't find contact information here, but if you're interested in discussing you can find me at ServiceStephenKingCatalog@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dave