The red double-decker bus passed in front of Kelly, and she looked across the street through the glass.
A long queue has already gathered in front of Waterstones Bookstore, which has a signboard with white English letters on the black facade.
"There are so many people. This book signing can actually gather so many readers."
Even the blonde girl, who had long been looking forward to the little prince, was attracted by it. The bustling scene in front of me was startling.
There is a British proverb that says.
The life of a traditional upper-class gentleman can never avoid the three Oxfords: Oxford University, Oxford leather shoes, and Oxford Street.
They studied at Oxford University, the oldest university in the world. They wore the most respectable Oxford shoes with exquisitely carved wing patterns on the toes to attend formal banquets. On weekends, they accompanied their wives on Oxford Street, the busiest business street. Go shopping.
The commercial street in front of Kelly is the representative shopping street in Britain.
The empire on which the sun never sets has long since collapsed.
But pedestrians standing on this commercial street can still feel the afterimage of the old empire written by George Eliot and Conan Doyle.
The statues of the gods on the building's facade are lifelike, the high roof is carved with exquisite patterns, the huge columns are surrounded by various beautiful reliefs, and outside the large lattice window booth, from Tourists of different nationalities and colors were talking to each other in various languages.
The architectural artistic styles of neoclassicism and romanticism complement each other.
Twenty meters diagonally across from the main store of the luxury brand Burberry is the aterstone039s branch of Waterstones, the largest bookstore chain in the UK.
Oxford Street is a top shopping street as famous as Fifth Avenue in Paris and Wangfujing in Beijing. For a store of this size to be rented out, the annual rent is conservatively estimated to be more than 8 million pounds.
Used to open a bookstore.
Rather than to make money, it is better to say that Waterstones Bookstore wants to show its strength and create a physical sign for tourists to see.
The media even photographed celebrities such as King Charles III, David Beckham, and David Bowie before he ascended to the throne, walking into the store under the black signboard as ordinary readers. .
Traditionally,
only the most important and anticipated books in the UK and even the English-speaking world can have their book signings held in this Waterstones bookstore.
On Duan.
The last fairy tale writer who held a book signing here was Alan Garner, the author of the 2022 Booker Prize-nominated work Syrup Walker. He is one of the most important fairy tale writers in British history. , has just broken the world record for the age of nomination for this highest award in English literature at the age of 87.
After all, the reprinted Little Prince is not a new book in the true sense, and it is still a bit unqualified.
Fortunately, Osborne is really awesome.
He tried to rely on many connections to rely onThrough the group's network of contacts, the Little Prince project team's first important and memorable book signing was arranged on Oxford Street.
Whether it is a success or failure in sales, the results of this autograph session will be magnified exponentially.
It was within his authority to give Anna, who was under pressure at this time, a small gift.
Inside the closed dark glass store door.
Staff in bookstore uniforms hung ribbons and prepared small souvenirs and promotional posters for readers attending the book signing.
In order to hold a reader meeting and book signing ceremony for the famous British scholar and translator Dean Hawke in the afternoon.
As early as noon,
Waterstones Bookstore on Oxford Street briefly closed its store and began to decorate the venue.
Until 5 minutes before the autograph session starts, readers from outside will be re-arranged to enter.
When Kelly and her best friends arrived, the queue in front of the store was conservatively estimated to be hundreds of people.
The queue stretched from under the black signboard of Waterstones Bookstore to in front of the Hermès store next door.
Everyone was talking like a party.
“What did I say? It’s not even past 1:10, and so many people have already gathered. If you arrive late, you might not be able to attend the release of Detective Cat’s new book. Got it."
Kelly breathed out a sigh of relief and hurriedly pulled her best friend to line up at the end of the crowd.
“It’s a book by Saint-Exupéry, and the book signing was the translator Charlie Hawke. In terms of the importance of this book, illustrators like Detective Cat can only be ranked third. She alone is not qualified to hold a reading meeting on Oxford Street."
My best friend corrected me on the side.
“It’s different, just like other books. The Little Prince is a fairy tale with pictures and texts from the moment it was born. Even Saint-Exupéry himself expressed his opinion to the outside world that the illustrations and text are here. The content of this book is equally important."
My best friend pouted, but this time she didn't find anything to say to refute.
She looked at the crowd around her in confusion.
Even for a top shopping street, there were more than twice as many people here than she expected.
It is not uncommon for people to queue up to buy in Oxford Street shops, it happens every day.
When Murakami Takashi and V's joint bag was released, the queue was two hundred meters long due to various scalpers who stayed up late to buy it.
The strange thing is that this is a bookstore
It is not a place to sell bags, shoes, cosmetics, or perfume.
When did people become so passionate about knowledge?
My best friend saw not only professional reporters taking photos of people queuing up.
There are even two female police officers at the front who are very common in British dramas and are wearing green reflective background and silver police badge-style high-top helmets. They got off the patrol special vehicles and stood. Next to Waterstones Bookstore.
bckiveatters tourAfter the rise of the anti-government movement, the London Police Department introduced new regulations in 2021 in order to prevent zero-yuan purchases or robbery riots from affecting the normal operations of Oxford Street.
Once traffic cameras detect a crowd gathering on a commercial street that exceeds a certain limit, street patrols will come to help maintain order.
The police force is limited, but this is the treatment that only the most popular stores can get
“The policemen in these police stations are all brainless in executing orders. There are really people who come to do zero-dollar shopping. Why don't you grab the Hermès and Burberry next door? Come here and grab the fairy tale books in the bookstore and take them back. Take a look and cultivate your literary accomplishments."
My best friend imagined that a group of thieves ransacked the bookstore and went back to read a bunch of them each. The scene made me laugh.
She muttered a few words, "Let me tell you, even if there are so many people here, maybe they are all hired by the publishing house to support the scene. If no one cares about the book signing on Oxford Street, it will be a disaster." It’s so embarrassing. Those publishing groups are doing everything for marketing.”
Maybe because she was angry, the opportunity to have a nice beer and watch handsome guys was ruined by Kelly.
Maybe deep down in my heart, I have unspeakable complex jealousy towards my roommate who was inexplicably featured in a big advertisement.
The round-faced best friend is somewhat unhappy and prejudiced against the detective cat.
Kelly smiled.
"Hey, sister, are you here to buy a little prince too?" She patted the girl in front of her who was wearing a plaid petticoat and pink earrings, and looked very young and artistic.
The girl nodded.
“I am a loyal reader of Mr. Charlie Hawke. He is a very great translator. The two previous French books, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Three Musketeers, Hawke translated are both classics. This This time he was going to hold a book signing, so I ran over."
"It turns out this is the book signing for the Little Prince."
The other person next to him was holding a Starbucks on his back. The black guy dressed as a programmer raised his eyebrows in surprise when he heard Kelly's question.
"You don't know why you didn't buy a book?" my best friend asked suspiciously.
“I am an international student at Royal Holloway University who came to London’s Oxford Street for the first time with my friends today. The train back to the suburban campus only leaves in the evening. I can’t afford luxury goods. I saw everyone Queuing up in front of a bookstore, I have nothing to do anyway, so I just queued up here."
The young man said with a familiar smile, "The new version of Little Prince, I feel like I have been here for the past two days. I’ve probably seen this news online.”
“But I just want to read it and I won’t pay for it. Your British books are so expensive. The fee is almost making me unable to eat.”
Kelly spread her hands towards her best friend and showed a bright smile that said, “Look.”
The number of tourists on Oxford Street is close to half a billion a year, so you can meet anyone.
However, this kind of real answer certainly doesn't sound like a hired shill.
"One cannot buy books, and the other is a reader who comes here for Dean Hawke. Neither of them has anything to do with the detective cat you cherish."
Bestie" "Cut" sound.
She couldn't stand Kelly's idiotic expression of "My detective cat is really awesome."
What are you proud of?
You little girl can’t get a penny.
“I participated in the early market research meeting for the new version of The Little Prince. I can only say that the illustrations and pictures this time are great. The detective cat drew the best illustrations I have ever seen. One, you will definitely like it.”
Detective Cat seems to be becoming a new idol in the heart of illustration lover Kelly.
"The paperback version is only the price of a serving of fish and chips, and the hardcover version is only the price of a 12-inch pizza. Believe me, buying it will definitely make you feel it's worth it." She He went out of his way to advertise for other African big sisters to other readers waiting in line.
“I actually hope to buy the version with the illustrations written by Dean Hawke and Saint-Exupéry. That is the most original picture that fits the feeling of the story. The paintings are added later. No matter how good it is, it lacks the artistic conception. Not to mention, Detective Cat is just a criticized internet celebrity illustrator."
The artistic young woman shook her head decisively, "Unfortunately, the copyright of the original illustrations is with Schostic. They can’t get it from the group’s main competitor, Townsendsman Publishing House.”
The black guy just grinned with his shiny white teeth, “I don’t know much about illustrations, but I have bought them before. A creative painting T-shirt from the trendy brand Amida. It seems that the artist is also a very famous artist. But it looks no different from AJ or Coconut. If I had to choose, I would definitely choose the 12-inch pizza. It’s something for children to read, but pizza can make me happy all day long.”
“That’s because you haven’t seen Detective Cat’s work with your own eyes. The style of Detective Cat and Van Dorn’s works is completely different. It's different."
Kelly shook her head stubbornly, "Anyone who is not too slow will be infected by that beautiful feeling."
The blonde girl is very clever. He glanced temperamentally at his best friend beside him who was hesitant to speak, as if he couldn't help but want to complain about something.
"The same goes for you. Maka, when you walk into the bookstore and see the Little Prince written by Detective Cat on the shelf, you will definitely not be able to help but own it."< /p>
Kelly’s tone seemed like a prophet making a prophecy.
"It's true, it's not a cannabis leaf, it can make you forget it after seeing it"
My best friend Maca doesn't believe it
She sniffed, "If only I didn't have the urge to buy the book. In our group assignments this semester, the handwork of clothing pattern making and cutting, Kelly, you've got it covered, don't you dare?"
The same goes for the Fashion Design Department Art student.
HoweverIn addition to requiring art design and painting skills, coursework often requires you to thread in front of a sewing machine.
This backbreaking work is also jokingly called "tinker" work by people at the Royal College of Art.
"If you want to buy it, it's up to you."
Maka was half angry, half amused.
"If I want to buy that detective cat, it's really so tempting. Sister, not only have I done it, but also um."
She casually whispered beside Kelly, "Humph, and I I won’t go to bed with my boyfriend until the end of next month.”
When girls’ girlfriends are together, even boys can’t stand it.
It is also easy to make dirty jokes and dirty jokes.
The fact that Maka can say this kind of assurance shows that she is also serious about it.
"You said it yourself."
Kelly pinched Maka's round face, revealing a narrow and sympathetic mysterious smile.
Maka puffed up her cheeks and was about to retort.
At this moment, she suddenly realized something was wrong.
Huh
She turned her head sideways, stood on tiptoes and looked forward.
Maka vaguely felt that the atmosphere in front of the crowd suddenly became strange, and it seemed that it suddenly became quiet.
After a few seconds, she realized that it was not her imagination.
The queue in front of the bookstore was formed spontaneously by people, and it was already a bit chaotic.
Everyone was chatting boringly while waiting, eating hot dogs sold by street stalls, and making a lot of noise.
Suddenly, it was like the mute button had been pressed.
The noisy voices just disappeared.
Maka could hear DJ music in front of a department store in the distance, and could see people in other areas of Oxford Street not far away still bustling, talking and laughing.
There were couples quarreling, children holding hydrogen balloons running and laughing, and in the farthest square, there was a little brother Asan who was shouting and performing Indian flying pancakes to the onlookers.
Everything is normal in Oxford Street.
Only the area around Waterstones Bookstore was suddenly cut off from the entire bustling commercial street by an inexplicable force.
Starting from the front of the team, the feeling of silence spread continuously to the back.
"It's amazing"
Maka suddenly paused in the middle of speaking.
The round-faced girl saw a staff member in Waterstones Bookstore walking out of the door of the bookstore holding a stand-style promotional poster.
It was a piece of work that she could not describe for a while. Please remember to collect it, the latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft