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| Russell Norman | |
Award-winning author and restaurateur Russell Norman, founder of London's acclaimed Trattoria Brutto and co-founder of Polpo and Spuntino, died November 25. He was 57. The Bookseller reported that his first book, Polpo: A Venetian Cookbook (of Sorts), won the inaugural Waterstones Book of the Year in 2012; his most recent title, Brutto: A Simple Florentine Cookbook, was published last month.
Waterstones posted on social media: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Russell Norman, creator of Polpo and Brutto, and winner of the very first Waterstones #BookOfTheYear in 2012. Not only an incredibly gifted restaurateur, but also a brilliant writer. Our thoughts are with his friends and family."
"Russell Norman wasn't just a Curtis Brown author, he was my friend," Cathryn Summerhayes, his literary agent, told the Bookseller. "Whether it was adding an extra magnum of Prosecco to the table at a publishing dinner, treating me to lunch on my birthday or simply knowing when I had had the sort of day that warranted an extra strong Negroni, he was always on hand, always ridiculously generous and always passionate about everything he did. He was also an absolutely brilliant writer and artist--knowing exactly how his books should look, read and feel. I am heartbroken but also lucky to have had him in my life for 12 years."
Lizzy Gray, outgoing deputy publisher of Ebury, commented: "Russell was one of a kind. A truly creative force and an absolute joy to work with. It was his infectious personality, gifted design eye, unwavering attention to detail and, crucially, his humor, which drove his award-winning and truly game-changing books including Brutto. The team and I are shocked and deeply saddened. I will miss him."
Juliet Annan, who published Norman while at Fig Tree, added: "I loved working with Russell on Venice: he was the easiest of authors--appreciative, professional, his writing was great, his recipes delicious and easy to follow, his passion for food and places (Venice in particular) infectious. He was a fantastic storyteller. And he had such style and grace, (he knew exactly how he wanted his books to look). He was interested in everything and everyone. He will be so missed by so many people--the most lovable of men."