Who Reads This Rubbish?

An old friend pestered me repeatedly for a free copy of Weretiger until finally I caved in, even though one of his proudest boasts is that he's never read a book in his life. "I promise you, Pat, if it's the only book I read this side of the grave, I will read it," he said in all earnestness. That was before Christmas. He hasn't looked at it yet, and I don't expect he ever will. Meanwhile a very close family member, bless him, proudly bought a copy as soon as it came out, though I had told him I would send him one. Six weeks later I couldn't wait any longer and asked him what he thought. "I've got as far as the acknowledgements," he replied in all seriousness. I haven't bothered asking again, though really, I shouldn't grumble – he did pay for it, after all.