The Green Bronze Mirror
Book News - The Green Bronze Mirror
Though the historical adventure was impressive enough to be snapped up for publication, the precocious teenager ended up spending the rest of her teenage years trying to live the achievement down.
But now, 44 years later and aged 58, Lynne has finally “come out on top” with the re-release of her work smashing sales records for independent publisher C N Posner Books.
The mum-of-two, from Sheffield, said: “As a child I was in awe of even being published and was so happy to think that my work was good enough for print.
“However, I spent the rest of my teen years trying to live it down. Boys didn’t go for clever girls and if anyone mentioned it at a party, I knew my chances were snookered.
“It’s therefore deeply rewarding to know that all these years later “The Green Bronze Mirror” is suddenly so popular. I feel like I have finally come out on top.”
Since its re-release in 2009, the book has sold over 1,000 copies, becoming the bestselling title in C N Posner Books’ four-year history.
The situation is a far cry from the novel’s first release back in 1966 through now-defunct publishing house Blackie & Son.
Despite favourable reviews, “The Green Bronze Mirror” quickly disappeared from bookstore shelves and had remained out-of-print and “virtually unobtainable”.
Oxford-based publisher Christopher Posner says he is “delighted” to be able to “resurrect a childhood dream” for Lynne.
He said: “I seem to be one of the few who had an original copy of Lynne’s book and came across it again last year while going through my collection.
“It was one of my favourite stories as a child and I am delighted to be able to resurrect a childhood dream while also giving a new generation of youngsters the chance to get lost in the magic of the tale.”
“The Green Bronze Mirror” tells the story of schoolgirl Karen, who is hurled back into Roman times after discovering a magical mirror while playing on the beach.
Finding herself a slave, she has to go through many adventures in her struggle to return to her own time.
Lynne – a practising speech therapist – says she now recognises the book was partly autobiographical.
She said: “I wrote it when I was a dreamy, bookish adolescent who could listen to the teacher with half an ear and at the same time write the book at the back of the class.
“I believed my main character, Karen, was fictional, but with hindsight I realise she was me. I loved classical civilisations and travelling back in time was always a favourite fantasy of mine.”
The re-printed version features new illustrations by artist Philip Smiley and Lynne, who to date has not written any more novels, says she is surprised at how well it stands the test of time.
She said: “The book had been gathering dust in my memory for decades, so I was frankly astonished to be contacted by Christopher last year, wanting to re-issue it.
“However, when I look at it again, I’m surprised how good it is, and friends of mine are now begging for copies and reading it themselves.
“I might even write a sequel at some point in the future,”she adds. “But certainly not until after I retire.”
“The Green Bronze Mirror” is available now from www.cnposnerbooks.co.uk.
