From Publishing Perspectives:
As we write—on the last day (January 31) in which the United Kingdom will be part of the European Union—we’re reminded how frequently such momentous events seem to actually arrive “not with a bang but with a whimper,” as Elliot might have it.
In March, when so many of us in world publishing convene for London Book Fair, the separation will at last be a reality and the transition of 2020 will be well underway. For several iterations of the trade show, of course, sessions on “what will Brexit mean?” have been strongly and nervously attended in the show’s Insight Seminars program.
Today in Whitehall, EU supporters have marched in a “fond farewell” demonstration and Brexiteers are at Parliament Square, with a major celebration timed for 9 p.m.
One highly respected author from London writes this week in a private publishing industry list, “Anger is the dominant emotion of the times. I’m stealing myself against Friday night here in the UK when we leave the EU. Dark days.”
Link to the rest at Publishing Perspectives
Aside from having many ancestors who lived in England and Scotland, PG has enjoyed his travels in Great Britain very much and has fond feelings for those who live there.
Best of luck on your new experience, British friends. Your progenitors accomplished great things in their days, so somewhere in your genes, you know how to successfully pursue new ideas, adventure and commerce.
Personally, the overriding feeling about Brexit is I’ve lost the will to live.
I have to say that the “highly respected author from London” sounds a bit silly to me, as if they are accidentally parodying the “out of touch metropolitan elite” meme. I stand by the comment I made a month or two ago: Brexit’s not really that important – especially compared with the World’s real problems – and can largely be blamed on the Euro-enthusiasts who pushed through extensions to EU powers even though they didn’t need to and knew they were not popular (mostly because these politicians were more concerned about displeasing their European colleagues than the people who voted for them).
Great. Now, let’s make a deal.