Also Sprach Zarathustra, Angrily

When I first started reading on my Kindle with some regularity, I would assiduously report typos and formatting issues via the "report content error" option you can get via highlighting a word (other options include looking up the word in a dictionary, which is handy indeed). When you tattletale on a misspelled word, you get the canned response "A customer support specialist will look into this error. You will be able to view the status on your profile page on kindle.amazon.com the next time this device synchronizes with Amazon."

LIES. My profile page indicates that I have submitted 45 corrections since last June, and not a single one has had its status move beyond "submitted." I'm guessing "report content error" is just one of those feel-good buttons. I did find a funny mistake, though, and thought I would share it with you since Amazon is ignoring my calls. From the Kindle edition of Paul Theroux's Ghost Train to the Eastern Star:
"all [Zarathustra] taught was understanding the earthly elements, the turn of the year, the one God. And three simples rules to live by: good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Also a belief in the purifying nature of ire, which was central to the faith and a symbol of the Almighty."

FIRE, you heathens.

 
Roger Sutton
Roger Sutton

Editor Emeritus Roger Sutton was editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc., from 1996-2021. He was previously editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and a children's and young adult librarian. He received his MA in library science from the University of Chicago in 1982 and a BA from Pitzer College in 1978.

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Melinda

Every time I hear the word "ire" I think of this little poem I heard on Fibber McGee and Molly. The boy sat on the burning deck Mending a pair of socks. He lost his ire when the thread caught fire Hot darn!

Posted : Apr 25, 2013 02:08


Roger Sutton

that was MY mistake. I knew I would make one.

Posted : Apr 10, 2013 02:33


Lisa

Ask Noah: he knows a lot about the ire of the Almighty!

Posted : Apr 09, 2013 09:06


martha

and "three simples rules"? shouldn't that be "threes simples rules"?

Posted : Apr 09, 2013 03:22


Katie Bircher

I dunno, ire can be pretty purifying.

Posted : Apr 08, 2013 07:12


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