Making the World a Kinder, Gentler Place
On June 4th Call Me
Joe by Martin Van Es and myself was published simultaneously in the UK and
the Netherlands.
The bookshops, still closed in the
UK, were just opening in Holland, which led to the book being stocked in 550
outlets and to a re-print of the Dutch edition before it had even hit the
streets. Two weeks later it was number one in Hebban's charts.
In the UK a generous marketing
budget meant that a four-page promotion for the book was wrapped around the Bookseller
on June 12th, a promotional animation went up on the internet the following
week and reviews started to trickle in from the blog tour.
The reactions were good, some of
them more than good, and one of the main reasons people said they liked it was
because Martin gives some actual suggestions on what we could do to clear up
the mess that mankind seems to have got themselves into.
When there is so much turmoil and
anxiety about the future, people are finding it refreshing to read concrete ideas
as to how to make the world a gentler, kinder place.
Martin’s original goal for the book
was to get people thinking about ways in which the whole world could co-operate
to save mankind – a venture which is now called “The Joe Project”, after the
lead character in the book.
So, at the risk of appearing
hopelessly opportunistic, I have added a few extracts from the early reviews
below in the hope of tempting a few more people to think about the
possibilities for lessening the chaos that we are currently seeing build up all
around us.
“…it is wonderful, for so many different
reasons … it really lifted me up and gave me hope … it showed me how simply we
can make all the changes needed … an incredibly engaging read … the authors
obviously have a great deal of love for the world we live in and the people
that inhabit it.”
Tales Before Bedtime
“I loved every word … I loved the concept
…fascinating and so real … a unique read.”
The Book Lover’s Boudoir
” … a book that’s stayed in my mind … you
can’t help but keep reading … a mix of satire yet serious themes. An
intriguing, thrilling, almost prescient read … subjective, thoughtful, current
and frightening – a book everyone should pick up … Bravo to the author for
writing such a provocative read.”
AlexJ book reviews
” … a great book to read these days …will
move every reader and will change the way we see the world.”
Varietats
“…this stirring novel … this immersive,
magnetic story …This gentle, optimistic story of Christ’s Second Coming will
resonate with readers looking for a message of hope and empowerment.”
Publishers’ Weekly
“The most special thing about Call Me Joe
is credibility … The novel is written very realistically, when in fact it is an
absurdist idea.”
Lisa on Twitter
“Readers who enjoy apocalyptic stories
that focus on more than just physical and psychological survival alone will
delight in the social, political, and spiritual entanglements … an involving,
compelling read right up to the conclusion and a call for radical
re-envisioning of mankind’s choices and social and political structures for the
sake of the planet’s survival.”
Diane Donovan, Midwest Book
Review
“… highly compelling … This unique spin
…demonstrates the idea that we could come together to ensure a safe future …”
Soul and Spirit Magazine
“The characters are definitely one
of the highlights for me”
Melanie’s Reads
“A very different book … a way to start
the conversation to ‘save’ the world … utterly relevant today, I don’t
just mean today as in the grand scheme of time, I literally mean TODAY … a
really interesting book … has started a fair few questions in my head and has
pushed me to look into what I can personally do … to try to help the earth and
the people living on it … a really worthwhile book as long as you go in open
minded … the writing style was immersive.”
Read to Ramble
“Absolutely devoured Call Me Joe … it
feels distressingly timely”
Drink.Read.Repeat
“A collection of humans who need to
band together from the hate and the worry to put the future above gains … when
we become less of the countries we inhabit and more become the protectors of
the planet … read with an open mind with a view to challenge your thinking … a
look at creating a world where we are more caring and kinder to each other to
in the end save humanity.”
The Twist and Turn Book Blog
“A very time appropriate novel –
the bickering of world leaders, the greed and self-interest of so many. The
author wants readers to consider what they would do to save humanity … it’s a
book to make you think about your own actions in the world we live in and
whether if we all followed the same principles, that life would be universally
much better, much kinder.”
Becks Books
“what I enjoyed the most … the well-crafted
and extremely convincing response and interplay between the world’s leaders,
especially the nuanced take on the Russian president and team – Very much worth
a read.”
Mumbling About
" … sensitively playing off tensions between the forces of a Tom Clancy-style worldwide stage and the much tighter community found in typical contemporary Christian fiction - a readable and effective combination of international thriller and religious novel."
Kirkus Reviews
" … a perfect balance of science and religion."
Shayney's Book Corner
" ...an apt book for the times! … So much of this struck true with me of the world we currently find ourselves living in … a brilliant job of showing up the role of 'fake news' … fascinating ….gives you a lot to think about."
Books and Me!
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