Film’s success spurs book’s sales

If you purchased a copy of Vikas Swarup’s Q and A post its launch in 2005, take heart and mark it as dear, as bookstores across the country are struggling to find copies for the book’s new audience, reports Purva Mehra.

If you purchased a copy of Vikas Swarup’s Q and A post its launch in 2005, take heart and mark it as dear, as bookstores across the country are struggling to find copies for the book’s new audience.

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Slumdog Millionaire’s victory lap at the Golden Globes has placed Swarup’s Dickensian debut novel (on which the movie is based) back on bestseller lists. “It’s been back on our top three bestseller list this past month and the demand has been huge since the buzz surrounding the film began,” said Madhu M, category head-books, Landmark.

While the mega bookstore is yet to reopen in the city (following the fire at Infiniti Mall), across the country it appears to be the one that pre-empted the surge in demand and is not relying solely on the reprint. “We anticipated this rush two or three months beforehand and made available extra copies from the publisher. Very few copies of the 1,500 we had ordered two months ago remain to be sold. We have even ordered 5,000 copies of the new edition,” Madhu said.

According to P.M. Shenvi, manager Strand Bookstall, the book has been in constant demand since its release. “There are many enquiries everyday.”

Swarup’s second page-turner, Six Suspects is also benefiting from the movie’s inspiring win.