I bought The Well of Lost Plots while on holiday in France at some obscure little Métro station in the foreign language section, and practically devoured the little bugger. I misplaced it and am without a copy. Naturally preferring the UK version, I'm going to order a new one off of amazon.co.uk...

But what are your preferences concerning the US versions versus the UK versions? Out of curiosity. :)

I for one enjoy the UK versions: I have a feeling that some words are changed in the US versions, much like the Harry Potter books. (Which I also order from the UK). The English humour is sometimes even lost...

Weeeelll... that's about it for now!

The only changes I've really noticed in the US editions are that because they come out later, some of the mistakes in the updates are fixed in the US edition. Oh, and in LIAGB Jasper auctioned off (for charity) the right to be the fans who get to meet Thursday and ask her a question (and get doused with dream topping). So the fans and the question are different in the two editions.

The exception is WOLP, in which the US edition has an extra chapter 34b at the end. Not vital to the plot, but amusing (I've read the proof).

Naturally, I have both editions.

I only have the UK editions... so far.

Oh.

Welcome to the fforum, milady.



Post Edited (01-13-04 20:12)

Well, frankly I prefer the covers of the US editions, but haven't had the chance to see the Ur-text.

I've never understood WHY there need to be different editions. Some of us Yanks have read British books and managed to follow the story.

Of course we do move our lips when we read....

And make pretty pictures with crayons on the blank pages...

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Greydragn



Post Edited (03-02-04 00:36)

Welcome to the fforum, Greydragn.


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Logic is like Fire, a good servant but a bad master.

Welcome to the fforum, personally, I prefer the UK covers, but that's just me! I don't think they should change the words for US versions, sorcerer, philosopher, I don't think you are that stupid!!



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'Pompadour,' spat my mother. 'Living in sin with his pompadour.'

I prefer the UK versions of Harry Potter, but... that's 'cause it's the "unadulterated" version. Not all Americans are totally illiterate when it comes to British colloquialisms! Hm.
And "philosopher" is cooler than "sorcerer."

I was at Jasper's reading/signing at Vroman's in Pasadena yesterday and he said he prefers the US versions of his books because he gets another chance to go over them.

I haven't compared the US/UK editions of WOLP yet (I did read the extra chapter last night, though -- it really is about the weather).

I compared US/UK of WOLP from memory, and I don't think I caught much difference. It might be just me, 'cause I read the UK edition while jet-lagged and tired from partying in Paris.
I like the extra chapter. Not the best one in the book, but I like it. (The best one is, hands down, the Wuthering Heights Rage Counselling chapter)

I only have the US versions, but I don't think JF would allow too much of the text to change between UK and US printings. I think the cover art for the UK versions is much better with the dodo.



I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train. --Oscar Wilde
balletbookworm.blogspot.com

I have to say, as an intelligent American, that some of us are very capable of understanding British humour, colloquialisms and some of us even know where the loo is. But, that said, I doubt much has changed between the UK version and the US (except, notably, the extra chapter,) because there are definitely some jokes that are native to the kingdom (ie. where have all the u's gone?) I think the difficulties lie in being well versed in fiction, all genres, and being able to follow the references to other novels. While I think Fforde brilliant, it is his wit and knowledge of all works of fiction that amazes me. I'm hooked! Can't wait for the next book!

What happens in chapter 34b? just curious.

It's about the weather.

I have to say, I too loved the Wuthering Heights Rage Councelling session. I almost want to try and trodge through the book.

I loved the "where have all the 'u's gone" joke!

Frankly, I don't think there is much of a difference at all between the two versions except for pictures. WOLP was the first American edition to have a print at the front and ads in the back.

Yes, the weather....

It's just patronising to assume that Americans can't understand such concepts.

Septic version of WOLP kicks seven shades of doodah out of the UK edition, IMHO. Better type-setting, pictures and the 'feel' of the paper. Nicer size to read from, too.



PSD

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This is the work of an Italian narco-anarchic collective. Don't bother insulting them, they can't read English anyway.

I guess the difference in the 2 versions is just a sprinkling of mispeling vyrus ;)

But, some of the references are very English. How many Americans would recognise the names of fishing areas? It doesn't detract from the book not to know that the names of the Literatec operatives are an in-joke, but it is a bonus for those who listen to Radio 4.

OK, so now I need to go out and find the US version!!
Not that I'm getting obsessed or anything.. no.. honest *twitches*

I, personally, wish Authors would release the same book both sides of the Atlantic.. Phillip Pullmans "Northern Lights" (first in his Dark Materials Trilogy) becomes "The Golden Compass" in the US.. I wonder whether the alethiometer is actually reffered to as a compass in the US edition of that?

It's called an alethiometer. Not sure why they felt the need to call it a compass in the title.