Spatwatch

British Yahoos Swipe Jonathan Franzen's Glasses

Ray Gustini Oct 5, 2010
Mopey novelist Jonathan Franzen was attending a book party in foggy London town yesterday when two Brits (we can only assume!) snatched the author's glasses right off his face. One fled, while the other (no doubt a fellow chimney sweep, or possibly a boot-black) handed Franzen a note that read, according to The Book Seller, "$100,000 – Your glasses are yours again!”

Not taking any chances, a police helicopter (yes, a police helicopter) was dispatched to find the suspects, one of whom was found hiding in--wait for it--Kensington Gardens. The glasses were promptly returned to the visiting American, who declined to press charges.

He did, however, reserve the right to spend ten years brooding over the incident.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at rgustini at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

Sources

Topics:
More at The Atlantic Wire
Elsewhere on the Web

User Comments

Please type your comment and click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be prompted to log in or register

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App

Departments
Open Wire

Have a story we missed? A link we have to click? A sharp opinion about the news? Instead of waiting for us to post it, tell us on the Open Wire.

Submit your news and ideas | See all reader posts

Most Clicked

  1. After an Easy Hearing, the NSA and FBI are Ready for a Drink
  2. It Takes 'Morning Joe' to Make Russell Brand Likeable
  3. GOP Congressman Wants to Ban Abortion to Save Masturbating Fetuses
  4. The Supreme Court Decided Your Silence Can Be Used Against You
  5. Kim and Kanye's Baby Name Is Not That Strange
  6. The Prancersize Lady Meme Has Given Us New GIFs in This John Mayer Video
  7. The Surveillance State Suffers a Surprise Legal Setback
  8. Journalist Michael Hastings Dead at 33
  9. The White House Has Done Just About All It Can on Gun Violence
  10. Race Didn't Cost Abigail Fisher Her Spot at the University of Texas

Atlantic

More from Atlantic

Atlantic Cities

More from Atlantic Cities

Quartz

More from Quartz

National Journal

More from National Journal