Edinburgh offers many literary events, and my absolute favourite is book launches. I find it fascinating to hear authors talk about their books and what they mean to them. I love hearing them talk about projects they have spent months, if not years, working on. What I really like about book launches (especially in smaller venues) is the cosy bookshop atmosphere, surrounded by the scent of books and people who share your same interests. But what happens to that nice atmosphere when the author is world-famous and a bestselling author?
On September 15th, I attended the book launch for Taipei Story, written by R.F. Kuang. The Portobello Bookshop organised the event, which took place at the Assembly Rooms on George Street.
Although I knew of the author’s reputation and her well-known books, such as Babel and Yellowface, I did not realise how popular she was until I arrived at the venue. What struck me most was the immense hall, the large, impersonal and empty stage, and the enormous chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I was also impressed by how many individuals gradually filed in. Used to author events in small independent bookshops, I almost felt overwhelmed by how many people had turned up. It made me feel the event’s purpose was to sell as many tickets as possible, rather than offer the usual intimate relationship between author and reader that book launches usually provide. Furthermore, with so many people in the room and two entrances to access the venue, the end of the event felt a bit chaotic. No one explained where to get your book signed, and people were not standing in queues, but they were just hovering around. After a long day and feeling frustrated by the disorganisation, I left the facility without getting my book signed, which I deeply regret today.
Despite the sombre atmosphere, R F Kuang still brightened the room with her smile and passion for writing. It was especially interesting to hear the author talk about Taipei Story. Although the book is a work of fiction, Kuang made it feel deeply personal. During the talk, the author discussed how the book represents and explores grief, cultural identity, and family history. She talked about her family history with pride and even made a couple of jokes about her mom that made everyone in the room giggle. Later on in the discussion, when she talked about her difficult relationship with her grandpa (which is the inspiration for the book as well!), I could feel and see the sadness in her tone and eyes. I would say these moments made the experience unique because it was not just an author speaking in front of dozens of people, but someone sharing a very personal story.
I believe this event had its ups and downs. Because R. F. Kuang is such a well-known author, the organisation and the room made the experience feel less personal, making me feel that, with big authors, there is sometimes a loss between readership and the author. Nevertheless, the author really entertained the audience with her talk and her savoir-faire.
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