We asked Alexander to tell us about the oddest book signing that he’d attended, and he told us about the time he visited the Wivenhoe Bookshop.

Here Alexander entertained (and was entertained by) 20 ladies who meet to knit and discuss the world. He took tea and scones with them in the garden hut at the back of the Wivenhoe Bookshop, and he talked to them about The Double Comfort Safari Club while they continued with their knitting.

An hour later, they emerged from the hut and went into the bookshop where he discovered the entire village had crammed into the shop, and were blocking the pavement and road outside. He signed books for about forty people and left, very happy.

Here’s a selection of pictures taken on the day:

Click the thumbnails to see a larger picture.

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2 comments on this article to-date:

1. Lindsay says:

   July 7, 2010 at 12:49 pm

   Having just joined my favourite author’s Mailing List, and excitably planning how to get hold of the last few books I haven’t yet read — not available here in deepest darkest “World Cup” raging South Africa, I loved reading about the signing at the Wivenhoe Bookshop where the ladies continued to knit! How wonderfully eccentric ! It was my big chuckle for the day.
2. Beth Funnell says:

   November 13, 2010 at 9:28 am

   Having just finished reading”Teatime for the Traditionally Built’, I have to let you know that I chuckled throughout. It was difficult to put the book aside to complete any other task. I cannot wait to find more books by Alexander McCall Smith.
   A true delight

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