I don't know where else to ask. I've been told to read DOG SOLDIERS years ago, when I first got into Dennis Lehane. That if I liked MYSTIC RIVER, this book would blow my fucking mind. I'm ready to believe it and for about five to six years, I have been HUNTING this book down. Here's where I went...
-Chapters and Indigo, the sister mega-bookstores in Montreal don't hold it. In fact, the only Robert Stone they have in store is FUN WITH PROBLEMS, a very recent short story collection.
-Used bookstores? I wish. Most used and indie bookstore owners I have talked to don't even know who Stone is or where to look for it.
-Amazon (dot) ca has never held it to my knowledge and the resellers options they offer have ridiculous prices (up to eighty dollars)
-Amazon (dot) com won't let me get away with it under fifty, maybe sixty dollars with the shipping, dollar conversion and border fee.
-eBay? I tried once...book never arrived.
-Libraries here are all French. I don't want to read a translation when I can read the original.
-The Strand in New York literally has ALL OF ROBERT STONE'S BOOKS BUT THIS ONE. I'm not kidding. Talk about a frustrating situation...
-Borders in Manhattan? You got that right, they only held FUN WITH PROBLEMS.
-Boston booksellers? Zilch.
This shouldn't be such a rarity. It's a National Book Award winner! If anybody that reads this has a paperback copy of DOG SOLDIERS in good shape that's collecting dust at home, please drop me a line at benoitlelievre (at) gmail (dot) com. I am ready to make you a reasonable offer for it. Remember, if I want to pay fifty bucks for it, I'll order it new from Amazon. I'm going to offer you a reasonable amount, which is a lot more than your typical used bookstore would offer you.
If you don't have a copy and think you know somebody who might, please spread the word. Post this on your Facebook wall or Tweet using the button at the bottom of this post. It's been years I've been looking for a copy of DOG SOLDIERS. There must be a way of acquiring it without giving up a kidney. I'm not a lunatic collector, I just want to read that damn book!
Thank you!
Ben