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WILL I
be queuing up in WH Smith’s to buy a personally autographed copy of the
book about to
be written by the parents of
Madeleine McCann? Of course not. I have
only once in my life got in line to buy a book hot off the presses and
that was the final volume of the Harry Potter series.
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What are
they expected to do? Sit back and pray for ‘closure’ or
never give up hope? If the proceeds of the book help to keep
their hopes alive then good luck to them |
The
reaction, judging by some of the comments on the internet to this week's
decision by Gerry and Liverpool-born Kate McCann has been mixed, with a
huge helping of outrage, disgust even.
Perhaps
the fact that there was a so-called bidding war to win the prize of the
McCann signatures on a contract prompted some animosity. Perhaps it’s
because details of the financial arrangements have been kept under wraps
arouses ill feeling.
All we
know is the couple will be receiving a substantial advance and enhanced
royalties once the £20 tome is on the bookshelves.
The
proceeds from the sale of the book, according to statements, will all be
going to the McCann’s official
fund set up to look for Madeleine.
Kate McCann
says the book will give the family the chance to give a truthful account
of the disappearance of Madeleine during a family holiday to Portugal on
May 3, 2007. Madeleine was nearly
four when she vanished from the family
holiday
apartment
in the Algarve as her parents
dined with
friends near by.
The
McCanns
are currently fighting a
legal battle against a former
Portuguese detective over
his book alleging Madeleine died in the
apartment and that her parents faked her abduction. It’s an allegation
they have always strongly denied.
You
have to admire the way the McCanns have somehow managed to keep the
story of their little girl in the worldwide spotlight, never giving up
hope of a miracle that will one day see them re-united with their
missing daughter.
Some of
the critics are unforgiving for the way the McCanns were dining out,
while their children slept, even though it was just a very short
distance and they kept a regular watch on the bedroom.
Perhaps
sympathy at times did transform into sickliness when ‘official
spokespeople’
for the McCanns popped up on television screens making pronouncements,
in the way celebrities have spokespeople.
The
McCanns may be savvy in the use of modern media, generating publicity,
giving interviews, opening their lives to a world more eager than ever
for real-life drama, as opposed to docu-soap trash.
What
are they expected to do? Sit back and pray for ‘closure’ or never give
up hope? If the proceeds of the book help to keep their hopes alive then
good luck to them.
I
wonder what the reaction will be when the next chapter happens, the film
of the book?
The
flack taken by Kate and Gerry McCann, while distressing, is a small, but
unfair, price to pay for their continuing mission. My bet is they would
sacrifice every halfpenny they possess for the return of their child.
The
book, Madeleine,
is to be published next April close to the fourth anniversary of the
youngster’s mystery disappearance.
London-based published Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the
book - which is being written by the McCanns. They have already put pen
to paper.
Transworld boasts among its stable, best-selling authors, including The
Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown and fantasy novelist TerryPratchett. The
book is predicted to be a top seller.
Larry Neild |
