Newton's Optic:'Pigs and Parlours' may fly, but Gerry Adams knows the book stops here, writes Newton Emerson
Gerry Adams will publish the third volume of his political memoirs at the end of January, according to industry sources, but only if favourable reviews can be guaranteed in advance. The book, provisionally entitled Pigs and Parlours, will explore the Sinn Féin leader's personal struggle to recognise the criminal justice system after youths set fire to his wheelie bin.
Publishers are confident that it will sell out, but the author is thought to have serious reservations about the final chapter.
"Like most creative people, Gerry Adams is surprisingly sensitive," said Irish Times literary editor Ulysses Grant. "He finds it difficult to finish anything unless he's absolutely sure that everyone will love it."
Adams has received mixed reviews in the past. His 1994 work Sin and Cessation was widely regarded as a confident debut, but 2005's long-awaited sequel Arms and Aardvarks was described as "dreadfully slow", "poorly plotted" and "lacking a sense of completeness". Adams was subsequently blamed for the disastrous collapse of Puffin-Trimble-Albatross, which had underwritten the entire print run without updating its insurance.
To prevent a repeat of this unfortunate incident, Adams is demanding positive reviews from everyone prior to publication.
Critics known to admire the Sinn Féin leader's style will be given a rough synopsis of his latest work, while critics believed to be hostile will be told nothing at all.
If the reviews are favourable, Sinn Féin will call an ardfheis of its ardchomhairle and release an 'ardback. Paper backing will follow in An Phoblacht.
"If the book doesn't appear, then the critics alone will be responsible and the readers of Ireland should hold them to account," said a Sinn Féin spokesman.
Sinn Féin's own accounts were held in a wheelie bin until the disastrous fire, which may or may not be movingly described in Pigs and Parlours.
Several advance reviews have already appeared in the specialist press.
The Whitehall and Cheltenham Intercept says: "Adams will deliver a polished manuscript which should satisfy anyone in need of a manuscript or a polishing."
The Drumcondra Occasional Reader says: "If Adams's previous work is any guide, then his next effort must be an improvement."
The Hillsborough Hain & High says: "A book you can't pick up is a book you can't put down."
However, the Ballymena Observer says: "We'll review it when we've something to review."
Last night, Sinn Féin described the Ballymena Observer as "an enemy of the publishing process".
There is some speculation in the industry that Adams is simply stirring up a fuss to generate publicity.
"Sales will undoubtedly benefit from weeks of headlines like 'Will he publish?', 'What's in the book?' and 'Evil critics hinder Ireland's greatest genius'," said Ulysses Grant.
"But Adams should consider the long-term impact on his artistic credibility. What sort of author lets the critics decide if his latest work gets published? What successful author even cares about his critics at the end of the day? If an author feels that he has something important to say, shouldn't he have the confidence in himself and his audience to just go ahead and say it?"
Sinn Féin reacted angrily to Grant's remarks.
"That's a bigoted anti-republican analysis," said a party spokesman.
"Any talk like that a month from now and we'll call the police."