Feature

Can You Tell a Lot About Debut Novelists From Their Times Book Review Covers?

THE BOOK
The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman by Bruce Robinson
2/28/99
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath

PRE-REVIEW BUZZ
Though Robinson was a screenwriter-director (The Killing Fields, Withnail and I), his profane study of adolescence was hardly an obvious pick.

LEAST-FAVORABLE PART OF THE REVIEW
"Those who have reservations, however, about gross, robust humor of the Rabelaisian variety—and scatology in particular—should steer clear.”

SALES
35,000

CAREER TRAJECTORY
Robinson has stuck to his day job. His next movie, The Rum Diary, based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, is set to begin shooting this year, with Johnny Depp.