SCOTT LUDWIG: Words from the author in ‘Author, Author’

Recently I wrote a column – more of a book review, really – for which I received a response from the author. His name is Gene Weingarten. He thanked me for my words, then wrote this in his daily blog, the Gene Pool: “I have just read the most positive book review ever published, anywhere, anytime, by a professional writer.” I mention this because I truly believe I can back up that statement, and that, however reluctantly, you will be forced to agree. I mention it also because the review is about … me. I am excited.

“I was alerted to this item yesterday by a “Google Alert” on my name. It turned up a book review written by a newspaper columnist and author named Scott Ludwig. His review appeared both in the Newnan (Ga.) Times-Herald and The Fayette (Ga.) County News, under the headline “Author, Author.”

Here’s where it gets great. 

“Ludwig’s piece contains a line that every author who ever lived would have given an eyetooth — or even a gonad — for, in a review. In his later years, E.L. Doctorow would probably have offered to die early for that line. 

“No, I am not going to tell you the line. I will tell you that the review is quite short, and the line is repeated three times.  (A link to the review was attached.) I’ll wait right here while you check it out.” 

Tum-te-tum.

“OK. The most positive review ever written, right? I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that Mr. Ludwig can write well, no question, but these two venues are not exactly The New Yorker. And you are correct, but are also an elitist swine. I will have you know that one of the greatest newspaper columns ever written, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” was written in 1896 by a 29-year-old man named William Allen White in a newspaper named The Emporia (Kan.) Gazette, circulation roughly 3,000. OK?

“Mr. Ludwig, you were kind enough to address me personally in your review, so I am going to return the favor here. I am grateful for your applause, and I blush to agree that ‘The Fiddler in the Subway’ was a good book. But it was not, in fact, the best book ever written, not by a long shot. 

“The best book ever written was “One Day,” by me. I shall be sending you a copy. I’d appreciate a review.”

I was flattered. Gene Weingarten won the Pulitzer Prize. Twice. And he actually wrote about me. Maybe “flattered” isn’t the right word. Maybe the word I’m looking for is “honored.” Cutting to the chase: About that book review Mr. Weingarten requested. The thing is, I never received my copy of the book. Not at first, anyway, so I sent him a reminder.

Then, this: ‘Hey, Scott. I forgot. Will do it this week. Apologies.’

That was a while ago. I’m still waiting. Apparently “will do it this week” is what Washington Post writers say when the dog ate their homework.

I almost forgot. He followed his apology with another note: “You better write that f****** review, though.”

I immediately could understand why the man won the Pulitzer Prize. Twice. Don’t worry, I didn’t break any promises of confidentiality by printing his words. In fact, these are his words verbatim: “Feel free to use that in your review.”

So, if anything, I just jumped the gun a little. Assuming I ever get a copy of his book, that is. But no worries: when I do get a copy – “if” may be a better word – I’ll make it up to him.

Scott Ludwig is an Albany Herald columnist and an author whose books are available on Amazon.