Marley and Me
Friday, March 30, 2007
A Jolly Good Time in England
Greetings from London's Gatwick Airport, where Jenny and I are waiting to board our flight back to Philadelphia. We've been in London since Sunday to attend the British Book Awards, which took place Wednesday night at the Grosvenor House. I was one of four authors nominated in the biography category. The winner was Peter Kay, a hugely popular comedian over here who has a bestselling memoir out. So I didn't win, but I was honored to make the short list, and we had a great time. In a live video feed, Kay brought the house down when he appeared in drag to accept the award.
The British Book Awards are a big deal here, and everyone who is anyone in publishing turns out in formal wear for the event. The media were out in full force, too, and I had to walk across a red carpet lined with photographers, cameras clicking. "Look this way!" "Over here, mate!" they were shouting. Man, usually the only ones trying to get my photo are the security cameras at the money-mover machine. It was quite surreal.
John Grisham received a lifetime achievement award, and in his acceptance speech he said something that resonated with me. I'm paraphrasing, but it was along these lines: "Thank you, Britain, for celebrating books and authors in a way they should be celebrated in the United States but are not." And it was true; the event felt like being at the Academy Awards; the only difference being the hoopla was about books and authors instead of movies and actors. I was heartened to see such excitement over the written word.
Before the awards, we had the better part of four days to explore London. The weather was splendid, a surprise to everyone for this time of year. We enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Perfect for walking around the city. Our hotel was just a block from Hyde Park and two blocks from the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Harrods, the world famous shopping experience, was about 10 blocks away. We browsed and blinked hard at the prices, which were astronomical. Harrods seems to cater to oil magnates and multi-platinum rock stars. I'm not sure who else could afford this stuff.
Mostly, we walked. We walked through Soho and Westminster. We walked in Chelsea. We walked along the Serpentine in Hyde Park. One of our walks took us along the River Thames, where we stumbled upon one of London's many hidden gems -- the Chelsea Physics Garden, the second oldest medicinal herb garden in Europe, established in 1689. Being an inveterate gardener, I was in heaven. The British make gardening look so effortless; as anyone who has tried to replicate their success knows, it is not. Also along the Thames, we toured the Globe Theatre, a faithful reproduction of the outdoor venue built in 1599 where Shakespeare staged his plays. The place was filled with British schoolchildren in their crested wool blazers, ties and knee socks. "My God," I exclaimed, "they're cuter than Labrador puppies!"
One night we took in Spamelot in West London's theater district. A total uproarious hoot. It was worth every pence including the 30 extra pounds we were overcharged by an unscrupulous ticket vendor in Leicester Square. Live and learn.
My publisher, Hodder, was extraordinarily generous in its hospitality to us. Lisa Highton and her team had fresh flowers and chilled champagne waiting for us in our room, along with a cell phone so we could call our children. They treated Jenny and me to an amazing three-hour dinner on the 28th floor of the London Hilton with eye-popping views of the city, and hosted a table for us at the Book Awards. Thank you, Lisa, and the entire Hodder crew for being such wonderful and thoughtful hosts -- and good friends.
Off to catch our flight home now....
Cheerio.
posted by John Grogan at 8:39 AM
 
8 Comments:
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It was the first time I cried reading a book. And I cried a lot.. Actually I'm not used to read.. I always sleep trying.. But this one caught me in such a way I just couldn't stop reading. I bought yesterday, and finished today, right now and came running to find more Marley photos. I had just a couple of dogs that I really cared for. My parents were always who took care of them. I'm still waiting for the moment to have my dog, as part of my family. I want to experience that friendship that only a dog can give.
The book is great ! thanks for that !
Hi John ! What a pit that you don't won the Award !!! Next year you will win, ok ? ... Are you writing a new book ? Best Regards, Rafael Mordente - Brazil
Dear John,
Thankyou so much for writing this book! In my opinion, it was the best book I've ever read! I also think you should've won that award- but, don't give up- you will next year! I am a young author, and your book inspired me to consider writing a biography rather than a fiction novel. We also decided to get a Labrador because of your book! (I know- that sounds crazy because of Marley's behavior, but it's true!) I am looking forward to (hopefully) reading another one of your books! Once again, thanks so much for writing this amazing book!
Hi, John
I finished your book a while ago and I've been stalking you ever since. I'm studying abroad here in London for a year and I'm going back to San Francisco in June. This city is lovely isn't? But I can't wait to go back to my San Fran haha.
Love your book a lot. Thank you for great stories.
Joy
Hey John, You'll probably never read this but i'm living in the hope that you will! Im 17 yrs old and I live in the South West of England, to be honest I bought your book because it was on sale and i love dogs! Its 11pm exactly and i've just finished'Marley and me' and what can i say? It's fantastic! Just like many people, I had the old lump in the throat and tear in the eye (which i never get!) over it. But only because its so superbly written! I felt so connected with your day to day emotions! I've been dog sitting and funny enough, read the whole book in the time Winnie (the insane border terrier) has been here. Every characteristc in Marley is evident in Winnie! I'm a christian and i've always supported the idea of animals being wonderfully vunerable and mini gifts. However, after reading Marley and me, I also realise even more why I love them, the simple lessons that are learnt. Thanks for writing this book - That seems pathetic but it's made my Easter holidays! I wish it was on the list for my Alevel English. Hannah x
Hello !
I read this book , and I loved !
marley is very cute !
I read in portuguese this book !
''Marley e eu''
Ai é um saco eu increve ingles né!
good bye !
:-)
Olá! Meu nome é Jussara, sou brasileira, e venho através deste lhe parabenizar pelo livro Marley e eu.
Fiquei muito emocinoada com sua história e me lemebrei muito do meu ultimo cachorro, Scoobydoo, que infelizmente me deixou há quase 1 mês.Ainda sinto muito a perda, mas sei que ele está no céu dos cachorros e é isso que me consola. Não existe amor mais sincero do que o de um cachorro.
Mais uma vez meus parabéns pela obra que tem sido um sucesso aqui no Brasil.
Congratulations on your nomination! You deserved it. Anyone who can make the everyday events of a life as funny as you did as you wove the tale of your life with Jenny and Marley deserves to be recognized. I just got your book from my local London library and have been laughing my head off - and of course crying for poor Marley as his health failed. Thanks for mentioning the medicinal herb garden. I did not know it was there but now will visit. Cheers to your continued success.