May 18, 2001

Who's to Blame for Gaffes in Historical Novels?

To the Editor:

I am always disappointed when I spot inaccuracies in historical novels ... ("Accuracy: a Novel Notion in Historical Novels?," The Review, April 13). However, I find it curious that Carlin Romano does not mention that the ultimate fault for such inaccuracies' being foisted upon readers lies not with the authors, but with the copy-editing staffs at the various publishing houses that produce these books. Just as we would no more blame the author for a typographical error