Page 112

Elly Clapin

“For several decades, editors and writers have given an exceptional care to the beginning of a book, in order to impress the reader immediately… But what happens in the rest of the book? Alas … too often, nothing at all.”

This is the founding thesis upon which the French literary award, Le Prix de la Page 112, is based. The award takes its name from Woody Allen’s 1986 film, Hannah and Her Sisters, in which Michael Caine’s character attempts to woo his sister-in-law (ugh, I know) with an E. E Cummings poem found on page 112 of a book. The judging process for le award is simple: the jury consults page 112 of each novel entry and will only read the rest of the book if they are impressed by that single page. They believe that by page 112, the attention of authors and publishers has waned, and therefore this is the perfect page to judge a book’s overall quality.

At the very least, it’s an alternative to judging a book by its cover, which we all know is frowned upon and dangerous (unless I, a.k.a. ‘the world’s best designer’, designed the cover, of course. I never make mistakes).

Still skeptical about this whole page 112 thing? I’ve pulled page 112 from some popular Pantera Press titles for your consideration, featured below. Have a look, and let us know what your favourite page 112 of all time is!

She Be Damned by M.J. Tija