By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee, Molly Pearce and Niamh Parr
Acquisition News
International Booker Prize Winner Rijneveld’s Second Novel Announced
In 2020, Lucas Rijneveld won the International Booker Prize for his novel The Discomfort of Evening, which was translated from Dutch into English by Michele Hutchinson. In the same year, the Dutch edition of Rijneveld’s second novel, My Heavenly Favourite, was first published and went on to win the Boon and F. Bordewijk prizes. Faber has now announced the publication of the English edition of My Heavenly Favourite, which will also be translated by Michele Hutchinson. The novel follows the tale of a farmer’s teenage daughter as she befriends the local middle-aged veterinarian. With both characters trying to escape their uneasy personal realities, they end up forming an obsessive relationship which threatens to ruin not just them, but the community around them as well. Publication is scheduled for February 2024, with Rijneveld set to visit the UK for the event.
Debut Author McDonald Signs Two-Book Deal with Faber
The debut novel from Scottish author Margaret McDonald, titled Glasgow Boys, has been acquired by Faber as part of a two-book deal. Alice Swan, Associate Publisher at Faber, acquired world all language rights, excluding US and Canada, at auction from agent Rachel Petty at The Blair Partnership. Glasgow Boys is a YA coming-of-age novel about two teenage boys struggling through the care system alongside their jobs and studies. Eighteen-year-old Finlay is getting to grips with his first year at Glasgow University whilst seventeen-year-old Banjo is focused on finishing his final year of school. But both are dealing with insecurities surrounding their frugal circumstances, in addition to the lingering memory of the event which caused them to stop speaking. Prevalent themes of this thought-provoking novel include identity, young masculinity and working-class Scotland. Glasgow Boys is expected for publication in May 2024.
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
The Changeling coming to AppleTV+
Another new series is heading to AppleTV+ in September with a TV adaptation of The Changeling. The horror novel, written by Victor LaValle and one of TIME’s 100 best fantasy books of all time, follows a new father named Apollo whose wife Emma shows signs of post-partum depression. When Emma commits a horrific act and disappears, Apollo goes on a long journey to find her and his child, unveiling shocking secrets along the way. The full cast will feature LaKeith Stanfield, Clark Backo, Adina Porter, Amirah Vann, Samuel T. Herring and Malcolm Barrett. The eight-part series will air with the first three episodes on 08 September 2023. Get ready for an intricate plot filled with mystery and fantasy elements.
Love at First Sight heads to Netflix
Netflix is bringing viewers a high-altitude rom-com directed by Vanessa Caswill to usher in the change of the seasons. Love at First Sight follows Hadley and Oliver, a pair of passengers who find that sparks fly when they’re seatmates on a long-haul flight. What are the odds of finding each other again once they land back in their complicated lives? The screenplay by Katie Lovejoy is based on Jennifer E. Smith’s 2011 novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. It features Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy as the besotted pair, accompanied by the likes of Dexter Fletcher, Sally Phillips, Rob Delaney and Jameela Jamil. You can watch this sweet rom-com on Netflix from the 15 September 2023.
In the Works
Archewell Productions to produce Meet Me at the Lake
Prince Harry and Meghan’s company, Archewell Productions, is set to produce an adaptation of the novel Meet Me at the Lake written by Carley Fortune. This film adaptation will bring the story to life, poised to enthral audiences with its unique storyline and cast of characters. It tells the story of Fern and Will, who have a chance encounter and spend the day together in Toronto, Canada. They plan to meet up one year later, but Will doesn't show up leaving Fern at a loss. Years later, Fern is running her mother's resort when she meets Will again nine years too late. Fern suspects Will is hiding something and wants to find out what it is. The story delves into the depths of human emotions while exploring the complexities of relationships and personal growth. There is no information on casting as of now, but fans of the novel can look forward to future announcements for the casting of Will and Fern. Stay tuned for more updates on this new adaptation coming to Netflix.
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