SOLVED. Historical Ficton :: Printer punished for misprint in bible [s]

[Ruthe]

Printer punished for misprint in bible. in 1600's. England or New England

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What year did you read it? Paper book, ebook, other format? Do you remember any other details besides the printer being punished?

[Ruthe]

I read a library hardback, many years ago. Maybe in the 70' or 8o's, no later than the 90's, I think. I remember the printer's business, and family was severely affected in a negative way. It could have been in New York, but England, or New England (Boston?) seem more likely. I enjoyed the book, and would love to read it again. Thank you, Lobstergirl.

[Kris]

Ruthe, was the misprint an accident or intentional?

Any chance the book's description would refer to the main character as a bookseller? I'm trying to think of other search terms...

What do you remember about the printer's family/background/personality/etc.?

[Michele]

"typesetter" might be a good search word

I have no idea about this one, but it sounds interesting.

[Ruthe]

It was a novel, but based on a real event. The misprint was a mistake, and caused genuine trouble for the printer. It was a very interesting book, because it was based on real people, and a real happening. I wish I could remember more, but it has been a long time since I read it. ~ Trying to remember more, but I am unable to do so Thanks so much for all the help.

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

It sounds as though it might be based on the "adulterer's bible", which had the word 'not' missing from that commandment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_B...

[Ruthe]

It does sound like it, Isabel, I have tried to find a novel about the "adulterer's bible", but have found nothing.

[Nicki]

I've read the one you are talking about it think. A long time ago. 1980s probably.

[Ruthe]

Yes, Nicki, it could have been back in the 80's when I read the book, time goes so fast. Do you remember anything about the book, locale, for instance? Thank you, Nicki, I am so eager to read it again, usually I remember, and list titles of all the books I read, I don't know why I let this one slip.

[Nicki]

Vague recollections only: possibly England. A race to finish publication because a rival was also working on it? Either the wife was having affair or he THOUGHT the wife was.

Any chance itsThe Pillars of the Earth? I read a lot of Follett then and seems like it was a big name author and a lot going on.

[Nicki]

I think pillars of the Earth is too late. Probably late 70's, early 80's is a better time frame. Read up on it and I don't think that's it. Still thinking it was a "BIG" book.

[Ruthe]

No, definitely not THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, I read 200 pages of it twice, and for some reason it depressed me so much I gave up on it both times. My husband liked it very much. Maybe we will find the title with perseverance. Thank you, Nicki.

[Nicki]

Do you think that could have been a smaller part of the book like a historical flashback in a thriller? Ludlum comes to mind. Thieves tracking down the valuable misprint type thing. Just trying to think of what I read back then. Leaning more to 1976-82. High school to early college for me. Just ran thru some best seller list for that time. That's a trip down memory lane!

[Ruthe]

No, Nicki, no connection to a Ludlum book. I thought maybe it was written by a woman, but I am not certain of that. ~ I seem to have a memory of the mistake in the printing resulted in great hardship for the printer's family, a financial loss, and also a loss of good name. Thanks so much for your help, Nicki, it is very much appreciated, once I get something on my mind I go mental.

[Nicki]

I know what you mean. Looking for one my self. That's how I saw this.

[Peter]

More to get it out of the way rather than as a serious possibility, but Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman has a scene near the beginning, I think it was a footnote, that talked about bible misprints. The missing "not" was probably mentioned, as was a presumably fictional incident where a disgruntled worker "accidentally" inserted a long rant into the text of a bible he was working on.

[Ayshe]

The Latimer Mercy apparently has the "misprinted Bible theft" part but I can't see that it fits in any other aspect.
Posting it just in case and also as a bump

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Ruthe, I noticed you shelved Family Bible on the group shelf. I assume you solved this, then?

I added the link to this thread to your entry on the bookshelf on the assumption this is solved.