A Thriller in 10 Chapters
The Observer’s literary editor Robert McCrum stood down this month after more than 10 years in the job. And what a tumultuous 10 years. When he started it was a world of “cigarettes, coffee and strong drink.” But that has all changed–new writers, big money, the Internet, lucrative prizes and literary festivals have all helped revolutionize the books world. Here he charts the changes in 10 short chapters, and wonders if an “iPod moment” is imminent.



