State of the nation ... four authors called to book for staging non-event

HAD Fintan O’Toole, Shane Ross, Pat Leahy and Matt Cooper invited me to a four-way book promotion in the National Concert Hall in Dublin last Wednesday night, I probably would have declined their kind offer.

Had they told me they were going to charge me €38 (for myself and guest) for the privilege, I definitely would have done so.

Instead I was promised they were going to “debate the state of the nation” and I looked forward to the evening’s discussions with relish.

What we got initially from each in turn was a 15-minute presentation promoting their latest, well-timed books and urging upon us their great insight.

Then after the interval (during which, we were advised, their books could be purchased in the foyer), instead of the “panel discussion” we had been promised at the end of the first act, the MC, Gráinne Seoige, asked all the “contestants” the same question — why had they written the book “at this time”, which took up another half hour.

Then four or five questions (well, statements really) from the floor and the whole thing was called to a halt because we were “over time”.

Obviously the staff of the venue needed to get home (terms and conditions, you know) so the great debate had to be abandoned before it even began.

One funny thing, though. The auditorium staff must labour under different terms to the other staff. No one was hooshing us out of the foyer where the book signings were going on. As you can imagine, I left without making a purchase.

The 1,200 people who filled the concert hall had each paid between €18 and €20 for a ticket to this “debate” and I can assure you there was at least one angry man present by the end of the evening.

I will be demanding my money back.

Anthony Harris

Butterfield Park

Rathfarnham

Dublin 14