A Sleeper Success
by Daisy Maryles -- Publishers Weekly, 3/29/2004
St. Martin's had strong expectations, buttressed by good reviews, for its new book, Little Children by Tom Perrotta. First printing was 20,000, and within two weeks, after five more printings, the print number was 70,000. PW's review called it an "intelligent, absorbing tale of suburban angst." This was one of those books that had buzz and what sent it onto the national bestseller charts (#14 on PW this week) were a knock-out rave by Janet Maslin in the daily New York Times; a four-star lead review in People, more raves in Entertainment Weekly and the Washington Post; and a terrific review in the March 14 Sunday NYTBR, heralded on the section's front page. That review called Perrotta "an American Chekhov." The publisher is expecting more good reviews, and Perrotta will be interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air. And more good news—film producer Scott Rudin, who is responsible for such critical and commercial hits as The Hours, Wonder Boys and Angela's Ashes, just bought the movie rights (March 24); Perrotta will write the screenplay.
