The wait is almost over for Sally Rooney’s legions of followers – the Irish author has introduced her subsequent novel, because of be revealed this autumn.
Intermezzo, the bestselling writer’s fourth novel, will characteristic Rooney’s trademark theme of difficult relationships between younger folks, however this time the main target will primarily be on two brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek.
Peter, a Dublin lawyer in his 30s, seemingly has little in widespread along with his youthful brother Ivan, a socially awkward aggressive chess participant. When their father dies, the brothers’ lives change. The apparently profitable and competent Peter begins to self-medicate, and struggles to navigate relationships with two ladies: his old flame, Sylvia, and Naomi, a university pupil. In the meantime Ivan turns into concerned with an older lady Margaret, his life turning into rapidly and intensely intertwined with hers.
“For 2 grieving brothers and the folks they love, it is a new interlude – a interval of want, despair and chance, – an opportunity to learn the way a lot one life would possibly maintain inside itself with out breaking,” writer Faber and Faber’s description of the novel reads.
“After three miraculous books, Sally Rooney’s thousands and thousands of readers will recognise the sweetness and perception, the ache and hope that radiates from this new novel”, Faber’s Alex Bowler stated. “But it surely marks an beautiful advance, too, within the work of a author who appears so attuned to our lives, our hearts and our occasions.”
Rooney’s earlier novels have all been worldwide bestsellers, and Regular Individuals and Conversations With Pals have been tailored for BBC tv sequence. The author’s most up-to-date title, Stunning World, The place Are You, bought greater than 40,000 copies in simply 5 days when it was revealed in September 2021, with 50 booksellers throughout the UK opening early on its publication day to cater for the demand, whereas a Rooney pop-up store opened in Shoreditch. Plans are underneath method for Intermezzo’s publication, with Rooney anticipated to seem at occasions in London and Dublin.
The superior reader copies (ARCs) despatched out to influencers and media professionals earlier than Stunning World’s publication have been referred to as “the standing galley of the summer time” by Vainness Truthful’s Delia Cai. Some ARCs, which have been clearly marked “not for resale” appeared on buying and selling websites akin to eBay and Depop, with one copy promoting on eBay for $209.16 (£165.38).
Bea Carvalho, head of books at Waterstones stated she expects the publication of Intermezzo to be “a standout spotlight” of this 12 months’s fiction titles. “Few authors are as beloved amongst our booksellers”, she stated. “We keep in mind fondly launching Stunning World, The place Are You in Waterstones Piccadilly with one of many first main bookshop guide signings after the turbulent interval of lockdowns and store closures: a reminder of the enjoyment to be discovered locally of bookshops.”
Rooney’s books have bought 3m copies within the UK and Eire alone, and have been translated into greater than 40 languages. In 2021, Rooney turned down a proposal from the Israeli writer that translated her two earlier novels into Hebrew, because of her stance on the Israel-Palestine battle. Writing within the Observer in December 2023, in dialog with Palestinian writer Isabella Hammad, Rooney wrote that she was “at a loss to grasp” the latest occasions in Gaza. “Nothing could make sense of it. Every part in me rebels towards what I’m witnessing.”
In 2022, Time journal named Rooney among the many 100 most influential folks. The novelist lives and works in County Mayo, Eire, the place she was born.
after publication promotion
Intermezzo, the duvet of which is but to be revealed, might be revealed on 24 September.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, £20). To help the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Supply prices might apply
