Ooh.
A little bird has just told me that “petite” is on sale in France RIGHT THIS MINUTE in the following bookshops:
- W H Smith, Paris
- Red Wheelbarrow, Paris
- Galignani, Paris
- Brentanos, Paris
- Gibert Jeune, Paris
- Shakespeare & Cie, Paris
- Decitre, Lyon
- Mollat, Bordeaux
- Kleber, Strasbourg
I’m feeling a little faint.
about
books
press
fbk
petite anglaise 
I just got my copy in the post from Penguin this morning!!! Thank you. How very exciting!!!
Comment by kjr — February 21, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Congrats!
I’m looking forward to reading it.
I tried to post yesterday, but it got lost
out there in cyberspace. I’ve only just discovered your blog, courtesy of the Times online. I’ve been trawling through the archives and so far, my favourite bit has been Tadpole’s song about hurting her eye: “…and it did do some bloood!” Fabulous stuff!
Comment by Jacqueline — February 21, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Congratulations! Will I be able to buy one here, in Lebanon?
Comment by Zeina — February 21, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
@2: Can I just say that the ‘dribbled on my mummy’ song is the best post I have ever read. And the best song, too :)
Comment by Sunny — February 21, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Jeff Arch, the guy who wrote Sleepless in Seattle, told me that he spent an afternoon standing just around the corner from a cinema ticket window listening to people say, “May I have a ticket to Sleepless in Seattle”. He said it gave him a thrill every time because they were only saying that phrase because he’d written it.
I know Petite Anglaise is in more common usage so you can’t do the listening thing, but have you been down to lurk in the store and watch people buy your book. (I know I would – although perhaps not in a beret – Mrs Albion doesn’t think they suit me.)
Comment by Damian — February 21, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
And when it hits London, which is the best store to buy it at – which stores count towards the best seller lists?
Comment by Damian — February 21, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
Ah yes, that song….
You can’t even see the scar now, regardless of what the French doctor said.
Comment by petite — February 21, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Sniff! I’ve just checked Amazon.fr, hoping that I’d be able to order my copy of PetiteAnglaise to be delivered at my parents’ address in France so that they can bring it over next week when they come and visit (I live in Mexico). But Amazon tells me that they will only deliver the book on the 21st April!
Maybe my parents will be able to pick up “Petite Anglaise” at one of the libraries at CDG airport on their way over. If not, I’ll have to wait until September when my next trip back home is planned.
Well, you can pride yourself on making me as impatient to get my hands on the book as I was for the last Harry Potters ;o)
Comment by Celine — February 21, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Its available in the uk in some stores now! I got mine in WHsmith this morning. I was looking for a gift for my mum and there it was on the shelf. Needless to say it now sits on my coffee table waiting for my little girls bedtime so i can start reading! X
Comment by Sam b — February 21, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Will there be an opportunity for Americans to buy the book with the proper British English, for those of us who want the book as it was meant to be?
Comment by calita — February 21, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Ohhh … I’m coming to Paris tomorrow, so I will definitely be taking a detour to one of the above mentioned bookshops … I’m quite excited. Congratulations on your question and the answer ! I can almost feel Tadpole’s excitement.
Comment by Victoria — February 21, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
counting the days until Amazon sends my book to Oslo!
Comment by nrg — February 21, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
I have to say, having read the US manuscript through, the changes are pretty unobtrusive. I found a couple of stray “moms” – which will be amended – and a lot of the British English words were left alone in the end. So don’t let that put you off…
Comment by petite — February 21, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
When you see someone reading it on the metro you will probably faint! really happy for you
Comment by susie — February 21, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
p.s. I love Shakespeare & Co. When I was in Paris before Christmas the author of the book I was reading at the time (The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake) was doing a reading in store the day I was due to fly home. The wonderfully sweet American girl working there agreed to take my copy (with a little note to Ms Drake and €20)and get it signed and post it back to me. Arrived back safe, sound and enscribed beautifully a few days later. There are still some nice genuine people out there!
Comment by susie — February 21, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
How exciting! I’d take my camera with me while I lurked at the bookshops, and take pictures of The Book on display. What a thrill it must be to see your work out there in the real, physical world instead of the ephemeral, will-o-the-wisp, online one.
I’m glad Tadple had no lasting scar from the ‘blooooood’ incident.
Comment by Peg — February 21, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
So many wonderful and exciting things happening in your world! Congrats again!! :)
Comment by Delicieux — February 21, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
At the moment I am in Amsterdam and I am little bit dissapointed I didn’t see yet your book but I keep looking for it in different bookshops. Meanwhile I’m waiting the delivery of the english version from Amazon!
Comment by penelope — February 21, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
Just looked on WH Smiths website, yes it is on there!!! Must go and get my copy. :-)
Comment by anne — February 21, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Very cool, Petite. YEAH! Have fun and absorb every second of the fun!!!
Comment by Kat — February 21, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Petite, found your blog after the recent Times article about your new book. Very, very well done on the blog and the book deal. Now that you’re successful and famous I do hope that you won’t stop blogging. I am finding it very entertaining. By the way, I’ve kept a diary for 38 years but the daily entry of “got up, went to work, came home and went to bed” doesn’t sound quite as interesting as your blogs! Lots and lots of luck!
Comment by Jane S — February 21, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
Is it going to be translated into spanish???????
Comment by Me, Myself and I — February 21, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
I am SO going to stop at a bookstore tomorrow. I will have a little alone time this weekend and would love to say I’ve read the book when I next see you! How exciting is this!
Comment by The Bold Soul — February 21, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
I just got my copy of “Petite Anglaise” and I truly am so excited to read it!
Comment by Lost in France — February 21, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
I’ll try to find a copy in Poitiers on Monday. We’re always a bit behind here in “la France d’en bas”! Maybe the fnac will have it by next week?
Comment by Barry — February 21, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
I came across the book in WHS at lunchtime today and couldn’t resist, despite hefty price. I’m already half-way through, it’s pretty compelling reading. It has awoken memories on a personal level, savouring the early days of life in Paris and the obligatory stop at the American church notice board, the difficult days of couple plus baby and the daily grind of Tata-metro-boulot which you describe. I haven’t been second-time lucky like you (yet?) and have wondering in darker moments about moving back to the UK, but reading this has made me remember why I came to Paris and many reasons for staying. Sorry about the long post, feel free to moderate/delete ! Well done anyway, so many people “have it in them” but having the determination to see it through is another thing.
Comment by Kate — February 21, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I am so excited for you Petite!!! I am in the states and ordered one from UK’s Amazon. I can’t believe the shipping is more than the book – but I am thrilled to get to read your own words and not some American translation. I know your book will be well received as your prose is thoughtful and beautiful. Best of luck to you. We are all so proud for you!!
Comment by Iza — February 21, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
@ Penelope, did you check the shop at Schiphol? Inconvenient if you are not flying I reckon.
Comment by Jules — February 21, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
Still waiting down here in Australia? Maybe a book signing? Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, imagine the backdrop, Sydney harbour brige, opera house, the harbour, Petite….
Comment by Lisa — February 21, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
I live in the states as well and ordered it from Amazon.uk because I wanted an un-americanized version. And I can actually get the US version at a discount from the publisher because well…I work there! Obviously I have no patience!
Comment by Pattoo — February 22, 2008 @ 1:31 am
Oh come on. You guys are making me jealous….. I have to wait for it to come to the US.
Comment by linda from jersey (that's new jersey USA) — February 22, 2008 @ 5:30 am
Find it on display in a bookstore window (pref Shakes & Co.), photograph said window, frame it, hang it on your wall. This IS a big deal.
Comment by John — February 22, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Just to let everyone know that amazon are offering next day delivery on the book but it is £8.99 whihc is actually more than the cost of the book!!!! so will have to wait for it to be available locally as i am away all week.
not fair
Marc
PS Did like the article in the times
Comment by Marc — February 22, 2008 @ 9:52 am
Mon dieu! WH Smith in Paris? Whatever next?! I’ve been an occasional reader of Petite for a while now (all the way from sunny Nigeria) and just wanted to delurk momentarily to congratulate you on the publication of what will no doubt be a bestseller!
Comment by Naija girl — February 22, 2008 @ 10:21 am
@33 – last time I looked Amazon UK were discounting from the £12.99 cover price to £7.79?
Another little bird spotted “petite” in Tesco, a week early. Which may be worth checking out if you are in the UK…
Re The Netherlands, I’ve asked my Dutch publisher for info on stockists. The Dutch version is on bol.com and I was told it was in all major bookshops. But maybe you were looking for the English one?
Re Australia – I’m afraid the due date is in early May. And I don’t have any travel plans at present, I’m afraid. Maybe if it does well, I could come over when the paperback hits the shops next Jan…
Comment by petite — February 22, 2008 @ 10:24 am
My copy of the Dutch edition arrived a couple of days ago; now I just need to lead the language. Finding how to say “Great Britain” on the bol.com web site was a bit of a challenge. It turned out to be “United Kingdom”, just above “United Arab Emirates”. It is interesting because it’s a paperback, and has the Aemrican cover. It does contain an awful lot of foreign words though…
@32 – this was for delivery by Courier. Ordinary First Class is a lot cheaper (but not much use if you are awya all week).
I am pretty sure that the Amazon price was around £9.99 last night. My pre-order still shows £12.99 and delivery by 28Feb (but I am pretty sure they will adjust the price before they ship, otherwise nobody would pre-order). Oh, and it’s gone “Dispatching Soon” – Hurray!
Comment by pierre l — February 22, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I have now finished the book! I am sleep deprived,my house is a tip, and I am now wondering what on earth to read! Worth it tho and I feel like I know a bit more about catherine as well as petite!
Comment by Sam b — February 22, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
If I still lived in Paris, I would go and spy in the bookshops for you, take a few photos of the shelves, check out the types buying it etc… Oh and if anyone noticed and mistook me for you, I would gladly sign a few autographs and pose for photos too.
Comment by Mancunian Lass — February 22, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
Just seen it in Sainsbury’s, Bridgend, south Wales. Pob lwc! (Good luck)
Comment by galloceltique — February 22, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
@10-You can order the original version of the book at Amazon UK (amazon.co.uk). You’ll pay to have it shipped across, but you get the real deal. Plus, you don’t have to wait until June (when the US version is released) to get it.
In fact, I JUST THIS VERY SECOND received an e-mail from Amazon telling me my copy was shipped–6 days earlier than they said! Definitely worth the postage.
Comment by Aly — February 22, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
For those in Australia the current price on Amazon UK is actually cheaper (including postage) at the current exchange rate then what is proposed hardback cost when it comes out in May. AUS$32 vs AUS$49.95. Just organised by copy from the UK and can’t wait until it arrives.
Comment by Jessica — February 23, 2008 @ 6:12 am
Just thought i would let peeps know that the book is available at waterstones in southend as i am now the Proud owner of this much sort after book. Bought from waterstones to let u all know
Comment by Marc — February 23, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
I bought a copy of “petite” in Sainsbury’s in Eastbourne yesterday. Looking forward to a lovely day reading it tomorrow.
Comment by Stratford Girl — February 24, 2008 @ 1:38 am
Thought you would be interested to know, if you don’t already, your book has been mentioned in the Feb edition of Conde Nast Traveller… p34. Looking forward to reading it!
Comment by pinklady — February 24, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Eek! Just got a message from amazon.co.uk – my order of ‘Petite Anglaise’ has been dispatched and is bound for Australia! Can’t wait!
Comment by Kristin — February 24, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
Any plans for release in New Zealand???
Comment by Froguette — February 25, 2008 @ 3:53 am
Currently on sale in Tesco, Twickenham!
Comment by Jan — February 25, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Do you know if can I order it into the French bookshop in Dakar? Don’t think I trust Senegalese customs not to charge me extortionate “import” rates…
Comment by JouesRoses — February 25, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
I love your book petite anglaise! Keep up the good work!!
Comment by Evelien — February 28, 2008 @ 4:56 pm