He wouldn’t be the first. Paul Auster, who’s never been a national best seller in America, is something of a rock star in France. They like that the Brooklynite speaks the language fluently, says his agent. Though Donna Tartt is quite a sensation in the United States, the Dutch have a special thing for her. Long gone from American lists, her recent novel, “The Little Friend,” remains a best seller in the Netherlands. After Italy’s La Repubblica praised David Leavitt’s first book, he, too, found fame abroad and even moved to Tuscany. He’s back in the States now, but visits Italy often. Griesemer jokes: “I’d consider someplace down in the Alps.” Can’t blame him.
