Daily Bookshot: A Clockwork Copper
January 26, 2010 by Rob
Filed under Daily BookShot
I’m sure many of you will be wholly familiar with David Pelham’s iconic illustration for the 1972 Penguin edition of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. If you are then you’d be mistaken for thinking that the illustration that adorns the cover of this upcoming title from William Heinemann – Pocket Notebook by Mike Thomas – is another of Pelham’s creations (I know I did). Rather, this is the handiwork of Willie Ryan, illustrator extraordinaire, who credits Pelham for the original inspiration for this piece (well he couldn’t very well not could he 
).
Personally I love the ‘clockwork copper’. He sits well upon his garish background of turquoise and yellow (Ukrainian flag inspired perhaps? ), and you just know, even before seeing it in situ, that this title is going to stand out in the bookshop like a British Booby at a Canadian Mountie convention.
The novel looks pretty darn interesting too. It’s a debut novel from Mike Thomas, who’s not only a freelance writer but a serving police officer too (how does he find the time), and it’s about a tactical firearms officer who experiences a very public breakdown. So here’s me thinking:
out-of-control cop + gun = interesting times
It certainly sounds that way doesn’t it? But I’ll let you know for sure when I get around to reading
William Heinemann | 04 February 2010 | £12.99 | PAPERBACK | 288 PP | ISBN: 0434020087
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Rob, a self-confessed bibliophile, is without any hope of rehabilitation. He gets unnaturally excited over anything book-shaped, and if book sniffing were a crime then he would have been locked up years ago (which wouldn't bother him in the slightest provided his cell were lined with books)
it is very nice rob my copy came saturday really looking forward to reading this one sounds great
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Rob Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
It certainly does Stu. We’ll have to compare note
Warmest
Rob
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I’ve also received a copy of this book for review. Taking its central cover design element from David Pelham’s work for A Clockwork Orange (as you write above), and with its typography heavily echoing the poster to Stanley Kubrick’s film version, not to mention the seemingly heavy influence of Filth by Irvine Welsh on the text, I can’t wait to see what I think when I finish reading it.
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Rob Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Nicely spotted with the Kubrick link there Anthony. Not sure I know what you mean with regards to Welsh with his Filth, but I guess I might when I start reading it. Regardless, on the face of it it looks like we’re in for some read. Can’t wait to compare notes with you too Doc
.
Warmest
Rob
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it is very good rob finished it earlier today .
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Rob Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 8:05 am
Glad to hear it. Hopefully starting sometime this week myself
Warmest
Rob
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