The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Archer doesn’t fail to hook fans

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Karnataka - Bangalore

Archer doesn’t fail to hook fans

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. MURALI KUMAR

lord of the ring: Book lovers awaiting an autograph from Jeffrey Archer at the launch of his latest book ‘A Prisoner of Birth’, in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: Fans who turned up to hear Lord Jeffrey Archer would not have minded paying a penny more for his latest book, A Prisoner of Birth, when he came to Bangalore as part of a six-city tour of the country on a rainy Friday evening.

Lord Archer, presumably drawing from his own stint in the clinker, sets his latest book against the backdrop of Belmarsh, a high-security prison in south-east London to where the main character is sent after being falsely accused of murdering his best friend.

Lord Archer spoke to fans about some of his experiences as a writer and his earlier stops in India. “This is my fourth visit to India,” he said, “and wherever I went I was absolutely shocked and delighted (by the audiences).”

In a reference to the enthusiastic crowd at the venue despite the rain and the ensuing traffic gridlock, he said: “I thought, while driving down here, that I would probably be the only one present. But after seeing the crowd here, I feel that this is a day I will tell my grandchildren about. Thank you for your immense warmth and kindness.”

Talk over, it was time to take questions and fans were full of questions. His inspirations, his lifestyle and books were just some of the topics that came under the fans’ excited questioning.

“I am really thrilled to finally meet Jeffrey Archer. I have been reading his books since I was 12 and can’t wait to begin The Prisoner of Birth,” said one flushed devotee, anxious to get her copy signed by the author.

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